Andrea
Certified Tutor
Undergraduate Degree: University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign - Bachelors, Integrative Biology
ACT Composite: 32
ACT English: 33
ACT Reading: 33
ACT Science: 31
I love to bake, paint, and read. I also love going to museums, especially the Shedd Aquarium and the Field Museum.
10th Grade
10th Grade Math
10th Grade Reading
10th Grade Writing
11th Grade Math
12th Grade Math
1st Grade
1st Grade Math
2nd Grade
2nd Grade Math
3rd Grade
3rd Grade Math
3rd Grade Science
4th Grade
4th Grade Math
4th Grade Science
5th Grade
5th Grade Math
5th Grade Science
6th Grade
6th Grade Math
6th Grade Science
7th Grade
7th Grade Math
7th Grade Science
8th Grade Math
8th Grade Science
9th Grade Math
Adult Literacy
College Biology
Elementary Algebra
Elementary School Science
Endocrinology
Evolution
Evolutionary Biology
GED Math
GED Science
Hebrew
High School Biology
High School Chemistry
High School English
High School Writing
Homework Support
Life Sciences
Medicine
Middle School Science
Other
SAT Subject Test in Biology E/M
SAT Subject Test in Modern Hebrew
SAT Subject Tests Prep
Social Sciences
Study Skills
Study Skills and Organization
Summer
Zoology
What is your teaching philosophy?
I believe in helping each student reach his or her full potential. Each student learns material differently, and I try to implement different techniques to try to help everyone do his or her very best. If I haven't helped a student understand the material, then I haven't done my job correctly.
What might you do in a typical first session with a student?
I would probably like to review past homework questions or exam questions that the student struggled with. I'd like to see whether there is a specific pattern with the problems, or whether it's an issue of needing more studying and organizational problems.
How can you help a student become an independent learner?
A student can become more independent when they learn how to process the material in a way that better helps them. Some ways are preparing for class by pre-reading material that will be covered, doing more example questions, or rewriting notes in a way that is more organized.
How would you help a student stay motivated?
I would help a student stay motivated by congratulating them every time they work out a problem correctly, or understanding what they did wrong in the past.
If a student has difficulty learning a skill or concept, what would you do?
I would try teaching the material in a different way, such as using more examples, or going over the basics, and then gradually building on those concepts.
How do you help students who are struggling with reading comprehension?
I would try to place what the problem is with the reading comprehension. I would start by going over reading comprehension practice problems and seeing if the students are not paying attention to what they are reading, or whether they are having trouble with the vocabulary, or other such problems.
What strategies have you found to be most successful when you start to work with a student?
I have found that strategies such as students taking their own notes and students explaining to me what we have covered during the tutoring session really allow for me to ensure that they have understood the material.
How would you help a student get excited/engaged with a subject that they are struggling in?
I would try to relate the subjects to different subjects, activities, or hobbies that they do enjoy. I try to work with a student's strengths to help his or her weakness.
What techniques would you use to be sure that a student understands the material?
I would have a student repeat the information that we covered back to me to ensure that all of the bases have been covered, or have them work through practice questions and passages at the end of the session.
How do you build a student's confidence in a subject?
I would build a student's confidence in a subject by working with what the student already knows as a basis, and helping them fill in the blanks. It's crucial to help students who are afraid, and feel overwhelmed by the material.
How do you evaluate a student's needs?
I would evaluate a student's needs by looking at past homework assignments and exams, as well as having them work through problems with me.
How do you adapt your tutoring to the student's needs?
I try to adapt to a student's needs by trying to help fill in what a student doesn't understand, instead of just teaching the same material to each student.
What types of materials do you typically use during a tutoring session?
I use the student's textbook, paper, different color pens, highlighters, a calculator if needed, and notes from the student, as well as my notes on the subject.