
Paul
Certified Tutor
Undergraduate Degree: St Johns University - Bachelors, Mathematics
Graduate Degree: University of Southern California - Masters, Systems management
Camping, hiking, kayaking
10th Grade Math
11th Grade Math
12th Grade Math
9th Grade Math
Algebra 3/4
What types of materials do you typically use during a tutoring session?
If we are online, I would use a clipboard with paper and markers. If possible, I would prepare equations and steps using an equation editor. I would take pictures of the material and/or scan the work and send it to the student.
What is your teaching philosophy?
I believe that every student should have the opportunity to learn, and has a right to get the best help they can find to assist them in their learning process.
What might you do in a typical first session with a student?
I would try to get to know the student and then find out where they are in the math course they are in. Then solicit from the student where they need help. I would want them to feel safe with me so they can be comfortable in asking for help.
How can you help a student become an independent learner?
I would help them find ownership in their own course. I would tutor them, then model the concept. Next, I would give them guided practice.
How would you help a student stay motivated?
I would show that the student can master the subject, through encouragement, guided practice, and independent practice, starting on the first day.
If a student has difficulty learning a skill or concept, what would you do?
I would spiral down the concept back to the basics so the student can understand the how's and the why's the math works that way. Then we would work the concepts and the skills together until the student understands them.
How do you evaluate a student's needs?
I would solicit their needs from both them and from their guardian(s). I would assess their understanding of the concepts they are currently working on. I would also ask them how they did on the last test/quiz. I would also assess their strengths and weaknesses in the concepts on a regular basis.
How do you adapt your tutoring to the student's needs?
The student is the customer. Even if I have some prepared concepts, if the student says he/she wants to discuss another math concept, I would immediately adjust to his/her needs.
How do you help students who are struggling with reading comprehension?
I would ask the student to provide some passages and we would go over them. If the student does not have any passages, I would find them. We would text mark the passages, highlight new vocabulary terms, discuss their meaning, and the paraphrase what the passage says.
What strategies have you found to be most successful when you start to work with a student?
Discussing and modeling a new concept, with as many examples as the student wants. Then, giving the student an opportunity to explore his/her understanding of the concept with guided practice. Then, allowing the student to work the concept with my feedback. Finally, having the student work independently on the concept, with me validating their understanding of the concept.
How would you help a student get excited/engaged with a subject that they are struggling in?
I would help them get a thorough grasp of the concept so they can see that they are capable of mastering it.
What techniques would you use to be sure that a student understands the material?
Discussion, modeling, guided practice, practice with feedback, and finally, independent work.
How do you build a student's confidence in a subject?
I would show them that they can do it, that they can understand the concepts within the subject.