
Ethan
Certified Tutor
Undergraduate Degree: The University of Texas at San Antonio - Bachelors, Biology, General
Graduate Degree: The University of Texas at San Antonio - Masters, Biology, General
Sports
Anatomy & Physiology
Cell Biology
CLEP Biology
College Biology
General Biology
High School Biology
IB Biology
Life Sciences
Neurobiology
Nursing
Other
Pharmacology
What is your teaching philosophy?
My teaching philosophy is to provide students with the most efficient way of learning material.
What might you do in a typical first session with a student?
First, I would like to understand where the student needs my help. If we figure out where the student is struggling (whether it be how to study a certain topic, common mistakes students make, or difficult concepts, etc.) we can have a clear goal so we can get more accomplished.
How can you help a student become an independent learner?
If students understands how to study and approach different topics they can become independent learners. I think tutors need to teach students on how to think on their own so they can ask good questions in class and ultimately get ahead.
How would you help a student stay motivated?
I think students stay motivated if they see progress and results. If a previously struggling student comes for help, I think they are more likely to come back and stay encouraged when they got something out of their effort.
If a student has difficulty learning a skill or concept, what would you do?
I think difficult concepts are best cemented with repetition as well as numerous examples. The more practice a student gets in something, and the more they have seen it before, the more likely they are to score better on their exams as well as understand it for themselves.
How do you help students who are struggling with reading comprehension?
This is a topic I used to struggle with myself. Unfortunately, the only way to get better at reading comprehension is to continuously practice. I think tutors can have a positive role in this, as we can teach students how to approach thinking about what the test authors really want us to understand.
What strategies have you found to be most successful when you start to work with a student?
I taught biology at many levels in the past, and I always felt like the students who were successful had confidence in me. Like in tutoring, the student needs to have confidence in me, and I need to earn that with concise teaching.
How would you help a student get excited/engaged with a subject that they are struggling in?
In my experience of teaching biology at many levels, students can get excited about a subject as soon as they understand it. If a student fails to understand the relevance and importance of something they are more likely to struggle and dislike it. I want to help students understand and realize the application side of my topics.
What techniques would you use to be sure that a student understands the material?
Understanding difficult topics to a student relies on multiple examples, applications, and practice. This is something tutoring can accomplish.
How do you build a student's confidence in a subject?
I build a student's confidence when they make small steps of progress in something. In a difficult subject like biology, small steps are a big accomplishment so I am always eager to applaud students.
How do you evaluate a student's needs?
I evaluate a student's needs by assessing what they know and do not know. This does not need to take a substantial amount of time, and it does necessitate an open communication between me and the student.
How do you adapt your tutoring to the student's needs?
I adapt to a student's needs when there is a constant level of open communication between me and the student. As I get to know a student I continually learn about their strengths, weaknesses, and progress, which allows me to adapt to better service them. If for some reason I cannot adapt to their needs, I am always willing to encourage help from another tutor rather than waste the student's time.
What types of materials do you typically use during a tutoring session?
I am eager to use whatever tools varsity has in the online environment. This includes an interactive white board where the student and I can illustrate things to each other.