Duane

Certified Tutor

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Besides having fun, going out, playing video games, traveling to different parts of the city, reading, playing billiards (or pool) and everything else. I am just a regular college graduate looking to advance and expand my knowledge to fulfill my career goal as an engineer. As of now, I am in possession of two degrees. In 2014 I received my Bachelor's of Science in Mathematics at Allegheny College, located in Meadville, Pennsylvania. I recently received my certificate of completion of Mechanical Engineering and Industrial Design in the New York City College of Technology Green Advanced Manufacturing Collaborative Certificate Program in Brooklyn, NY. As of now, I work multiple jobs mostly in education and tutoring. For starters, I have been tutoring since June 2013. I work with a group of students that are widely diverse in age, grade level and subject difficulty. My experience with teaching made me realize how much merit there is to helping other students succeed with their academic endeavors. Personally, I know how it is to struggle with difficult subjects and having no one to assist in understanding the concepts better and I want to make sure nobody else falls in that predicament.

For as long as I can remember, Mathematics has always been my favorite subject. Hence the reason I went to college to study it in the first place. And as of now I have been teaching and tutoring students on Mathematics and Science, working with people such as yourselves on an individual level to make sure you understand all of the subject material clearly and concisely.

My teaching philosophy is to explain everything simply and thoroughly along with some practice both inside and outside the classroom. As of now, my teaching style has been very flexible to accommodate every student's individual learning needs and styles to ensure full efficiency. Besides being flexible, I also like to explain things in an alternative perspective to show students different ways of thinking outside the box.

My father always used to tell me never do a half done job for anybody. If it is worth doing, it should be done right. As your tutor/ teacher, my job is not done until you succeed. I look forward to working with you all and I will help you to the best of my abilities.

Duane’s Qualifications

Education & Certification

Undergraduate Degree: Allegheny College - Bachelors, Mathematics

Hobbies

Reading, Traveling, Playing Billiards, Video Games, Technology, Television, etc.

Tutoring Subjects

ACCUPLACER Arithmetic Prep

Algebra

Applied Mathematics

Biology

CLEP Prep

CLEP Calculus

CLEP College Mathematics

Elementary School Math

GED Prep

GED Math

High School Biology

IB Mathematics

College Math

Q & A

What is your teaching philosophy?

The best way to learn something is to expose yourself to it as much as possible and put it in the simplest terms that you can understand.

What might you do in a typical first session with a student?

A first session with a student would be an honest talk between us. Firstly, to introduce ourselves then to talk about our strengths, weaknesses and goals. Once we have an Idea of each other, I would give the student some type of assessment to have an Idea of their understanding of the subject.

How can you help a student become an independent learner?

Alongside the material that I teach in class, I also provide some outside resources and references in order to give the student a different perspective on the material so they have a better understanding on what is going on.

How would you help a student stay motivated?

Using their strengths and building on their weaknesses in the classroom.

If a student has difficulty learning a skill or concept, what would you do?

This goes back to what I said in the previous question. I would provide a different perspective on the concept using outside resources and references.

What strategies have you found to be most successful when you start to work with a student?

Drawing connections between concepts already covered in class. Therefore, the transition between the two can become much smoother and easier to understand.

How would you help a student get excited/engaged with a subject that they are struggling in?

I would find ways to apply such a subject in their actual lives. People have an easier time remembering something if they can relate it to their own lives

What techniques would you use to be sure that a student understands the material?

I like to use the old school tradition and use quizzes and tests to make sure that the student understands the material.

How do you build a student's confidence in a subject?

Start off slow and easy. Nobody has ever mastered a subject they studied for the first time.

How do you evaluate a student's needs?

I stop at certain points to address and acknowledge the class’s questions, comments and concerns. I also encourage discussion in the classroom so everyone is engaged and make it easier to identify everyone's academic needs.

How do you adapt your tutoring to the student's needs?

I like to keep my teaching style flexible since every student has an individual learning style and pace. There are people who learn by listening, observing and those who take a hands-on approach. I prefer to keep it in a way that I can adapt to everyone's style of learning.

What types of materials do you typically use during a tutoring session?

My use of materials varies.