David
Certified Tutor
Undergraduate Degree: CUNY Brooklyn College - Bachelors, Physics
Family time, Guitar, Hiking
Algebra 3/4
College Physics
Elementary School Math
High School Chemistry
High School Physics
Middle School Science
Physical Science
SAT Subject Test in Mathematics Level 1
SAT Subject Test in Mathematics Level 2
SAT Subject Tests Prep
What is your teaching philosophy?
I find it most important to carefully listen to the student's concerns. This is the best way to address the weak spots and insecurities in their knowledge of a subject.
What might you do in a typical first session with a student?
I'll try to find out what the student struggles with or has anxiety about. Then, I try to assess the general aptitude in the topic by observing their problem solving skills.
How can you help a student become an independent learner?
I like to guide the student through problems with prompts that don't give away too much. I stress that at crunch time, no one can take a test for them. Getting a student to arrive at realizations themselves is the most rewarding.
How would you help a student stay motivated?
I think the best way to keep a student motivated is to show them their own progress. When a student realizes that they're improving in a difficult subject it creates positive feedback that keeps them engaged.
If a student has difficulty learning a skill or concept, what would you do?
At this point I usually slow things down. I will often ask the student to explain the concept to me to determine where there are gaps in understanding. Often, just approaching the topic a different way through an analogy or working through another example will be successful.