Clinton
Certified Tutor
Undergraduate Degree: Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute - Current Undergrad, Biology, General
Graduate Degree: Albany Medical College - PHD, Molecular and Cellular Physiology
Tennis, Reading, Basketball, Hiking, Mountain Climbing, Sports and Movies
10th Grade
10th Grade Writing
11th Grade Writing
12th Grade Writing
1st Grade
1st Grade Math
1st Grade Reading
1st Grade Writing
2nd Grade
2nd Grade Math
2nd Grade Reading
2nd Grade Writing
3rd Grade
3rd Grade Math
3rd Grade Reading
3rd Grade Science
3rd Grade Writing
4th Grade
4th Grade Math
4th Grade Reading
4th Grade Science
4th Grade Writing
5th Grade
5th Grade Math
5th Grade Reading
5th Grade Science
5th Grade Writing
6th Grade
6th Grade Math
6th Grade Reading
6th Grade Science
6th Grade Writing
7th Grade
7th Grade Math
7th Grade Reading
7th Grade Science
7th Grade Writing
8th Grade
8th Grade Math
8th Grade Reading
8th Grade Science
8th Grade Writing
9th Grade
9th Grade Math
9th Grade Reading
9th Grade Writing
Adult Literacy
AP US History
Cell Biology
College Biology
College English
College Level American History
College Math
Developmental Biology
Elementary School
Elementary School Math
Elementary School Reading
Elementary School Science
Elementary School Writing
Evolution
General Biology
High School
High School Biology
High School Chemistry
High School English
High School Level American History
High School Writing
Life Sciences
Middle School Reading
Middle School Science
Middle School Writing
US History
World Literature
What is your teaching philosophy?
I believe the best way to teach is to make the subject fun and simple. I like to incorporate a wide variety of activities diagrams and videos to further elaborate on complex topics. At the end of the day I want the students have fun learning the subject, so when they go to test they do not fear and they succeed confidently.
What might you do in a typical first session with a student?
Depending on the subject I would have a small assessment or a brief conversation with the student to grasp his or her level of comprehension of the given topic. After I would go right into assisting the student on his or her various weaknesses.
How can you help a student become an independent learner?
The best way to help a student become independent is to help them motivate themselves and build their confidence in a given student. If I can help a student enjoy a subject they would more likely go and practice that subject once they get home.
How would you help a student stay motivated?
I think the best way to motivate is through setting realistic goals and positive encouragement. I also believe celebrating significant successes is key to the long-standing morale of a student.
If a student has difficulty learning a skill or concept, what would you do?
I would try multiple ways to address a specific difficulty depending on his or her style of learning. Whether it be visual, verbal or hands on, I will introduce my students to various styles of learning and understanding.
How do you help students who are struggling with reading comprehension?
I would address reading comprehension issues by helping them break down the sentence and work with what they know, rather than telling them what they do not know. I would then fill in blanks that they are unable to understand. Reading comprehension is tricky depending on the subject. If it is a math word problem, I would help students isolate the math from the words. If it is with a history, biology or English class, I would focus on the understanding of the language and vocabulary used.
What strategies have you found to be most successful when you start to work with a student?
I have learned that the quicker you can make a student comfortable with working with you and with the specific subject, goals are much more easily achieved. Often times students are afraid of a subject or are proud to ask for help, but once you make them feel comfortable and in a judgement free zone I think they respond well and work hard, not just for themselves but also the positive encouragement a tutor can provide along the way.
How would you help a student get excited/engaged with a subject that they are struggling in?
I would try to relate the topic or subject to something they love or something that excited them. I love tennis, so I liked relating all the subjects that I learned to tennis.
What techniques would you use to be sure that a student understands the material?
I would use engaging assessments to be sure that the student has understood the material. I would also have the student "mock teach" me. If they teach it to me back, then I know I have succeeded in helping them master the topic.
How do you build a student's confidence in a subject?
I would build a student's confidence by helping them achieve easy "wins." I would start off with simpler question types, then progressively make them more difficult, but in between these intervals of difficulty I would insert questions of easier difficulty to maintain morale.
How do you evaluate a student's needs?
I evaluate a student's needs through prior assessments as well as my own personal assessments. The most important evaluation tool is speaking with the student and getting a feel for their determination and dedication for success. If they want to be better they will become better. Success is 100% effort.
How do you adapt your tutoring to the student's needs?
I adapt to the student’s needs in a wide variety of ways. If they are visual learners, I would present them with more pictures and interactive activities. If they are more auditory, I would explain topics clearly and concisely.
What types of materials do you typically use during a tutoring session?
I use a wide variety of props depending on the subject. I cater these props to that of the likes of the student. For example a student liked bugs, so we used toy bugs to work on some math concepts.