Mei
Certified Tutor
Undergraduate Degree: Northwestern University - Bachelors, Economics
SAT Composite (1600 scale): 1510
SAT Math: 780
SAT Verbal: 730
Golfing, Running (Marathons), Cooking, Exploring Chicago, Attending Concerts, Blogging (2 blogs - personal/professional)
Algebra 3/4
Business
College Economics
High School Business
High School Economics
Homework Support
Macroeconomics
SAT Subject Test in Mathematics Level 1
SAT Subject Test in Mathematics Level 2
SAT Subject Tests Prep
Study Skills and Organization
What is your teaching philosophy?
What makes me different from most tutors and educators is my strategic mindset. Most teachers recite their curriculums like clockwork and take the key details for granted. For example, when solving for the length of the longest side of a right triangle "ABC" (Pythagorean theorem), they will show 2 examples in class without explaining why side "C" is "C." Then on standardized test, the sides are now labeled "EFG," and the child struggles to properly choose the correct inputs to the equation. Memorizing formulas is good, but understanding how and why is better. Answers are good, but repeatable problem solving skills are better. Doing practice tests is good, but focusing on the troublesome problems is better. Simply - knowledge is good, but intelligence is better.
What might you do in a typical first session with a student?
Context is always the first step. Understanding the purpose of the tutoring journey (preparation for a specific test versus boosting skills) makes a big difference in the right tutoring strategy. Next, it is important to understand where they comfortable versus struggling before diving into the materials. I would focus on the materials the child is struggling with and have them work some practice problems without my guidance. This allows me to identify why they are struggling. Identifying why they are struggling rather than revealing answers is the key to making them self-sufficient.
How can you help a student become an independent learner?
I would focus on the materials the child is struggling with and have them work some practice problems without my guidance.