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Max

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I am a recent graduate of University of California, Santa Barbara. I received my Bachelor of Science Degree in Environmental Studies, with an emphasis on ocean sciences. What I love about the Environmental Studies major is that it requires an interdisciplinary approach; while scientific knowledge is crucial, it is also vital to understand the economics, politics, and social aspects of the environment. Therefore, I feel very comfortable tutoring a variety of subjects, including multiple levels of mathematics, geography, social studies, essay editing, AP Environmental Studies, ecology, and more. As a tutor, I find it very important to relate my students, and to make each session fun and interesting. At the same time, we must both know when to be serious in order to tackle challenging problems. I also understand that there are many ways to teach a subject, and that some students learn more effectively with one method over another. Initially, I intend to learn which methods work best with each student so that we both can get the most out of each session. I was previously a tennis coach for students from ages 3-18, which was a great experience for me because it combined two things that I am passionate about: teaching and sports. Besides tennis, I love to play basketball, baseball, football, soccer, and golf. I also enjoy playing the piano, with an emphasis on classical and jazz.

Max’s Qualifications

Education & Certification

Undergraduate Degree: University of California-Santa Barbara - Bachelors, Environmental Studies

Hobbies

Sports, Piano, Food

Tutoring Subjects

Algebra

Algebra 2

AP Calculus AB

AP Environmental Science

Calculus

College Algebra

College Geography

Environmental Science

Geography

High School Geography

Q & A

What is your teaching philosophy?

I like to teach a variety of methods of solving a problem, as different students find different methods more effective. I also try to make sure that each session is fun and interesting to encourage learning and passion.

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

It is important to learn about the student's personality and interests, as it is key to relate to each student. I will also try to determine what methods of teaching work best with the student.

How can you help a student become an independent learner?

By showing different ways of attacking a challenging problem or question, I can provide the necessary tools for a student to learn on his or her own.

How would you help a student stay motivated?

I explain to my students that overcoming challenges is the most rewarding feeling.

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

I try to explain the concept in a different way, or show that there is another way to solve the problem or understand the concept.

How do you help students who are struggling with reading comprehension?

I train the student to paraphrase sentences to strengthen understanding. I try to show the importance of stepping back from a reading to summarize and analyze.

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

It is very important to relate to each student, and to find out what ways of learning are most effective (auditory, visual, etc.). It is also very important to keep a student interested by showing why a concept is essential.