Taylor
Certified Tutor
Undergraduate Degree: United States Military Academy - Current Undergrad, Physics, Nuclear Engineering
ACT Composite: 32
ACT English: 31
ACT Math: 34
ACT Reading: 33
ACT Science: 32
SAT Math: 720
SAT Writing: 710
MMA, Reading, Chess, Video Games
Algebra 3/4
AP Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism
AP Physics C: Mechanics
Applied Mathematics
C++
CLEP Calculus
CLEP Chemistry
CLEP College Mathematics
CLEP Precalculus
College Physics
Complex Analysis
Electrical Engineering
Engineering
High School Physics
IB Physics
Linux
Mathematica
MATLAB
Mechanical Engineering
Newtonian Mechanics
Physics 11
Physics 12
Physics 2
Productivity
Programming Languages
Quantum Mechanics
Quantum Physics
Quantum Theory
SAT Subject Test in Mathematics Level 2
SAT Subject Tests Prep
Special Relativity
Statics
Technology and Coding
Thermodynamics
What is your teaching philosophy?
The most important step towards understanding problems and mastering subjects is learning the underlying concepts before attempting to jump through a step-by-step solution
What might you do in a typical first session with a student?
I always want to understand the student's motivations and ways of thinking about problems. Early sessions will include solutions from many angles in order to figure out what will work the best for that student.
How can you help a student become an independent learner?
One of the most difficult, but necessary, steps to learn independently is learning how to pull the necessary information out of clunky textbooks and convert it into understandable language through other available tools such as YouTube.
If a student has difficulty learning a skill or concept, what would you do?
Approaching a problem from as many different angles as possible provides flexibility for the student to learn in the way that is most natural for him or her.
How would you help a student get excited/engaged with a subject that they are struggling in?
Relating the subject to everyday experience helps demonstrate ways in which that subject is useful in the real world, which often helps provide better motivation than reading through a textbook.
What techniques would you use to be sure that a student understands the material?
In addition to explaining the concept and walking through solutions, I always encourage the student to walk me back through the problem and explain why each step was necessary. By teaching the material back to me, the student solidifies their own understanding of the problem.
How do you build a student's confidence in a subject?
Confidence comes from independence, and independence comes from understanding. After teaching the student a concept and walking through particular problems, I encourage him or her to attempt similar problems with a lower level of assistance, helping them to work their way through the techniques necessary to solve the problem.
How do you adapt your tutoring to the student's needs?
Each student learns in a unique way. Therefore, it is important for me to gain a sense of what approaches work for every individual so that I can tailor my tutoring style for them.
What types of materials do you typically use during a tutoring session?
The most important materials are those the student receives from their class: class notes, textbooks, assignments, etc. I then augment this with outside sources in order to provide different ways of thinking about the material.