Alexander

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I love science and Chemistry, and have for as long as I can remember. I first started tutoring while in high school where I tutored math classes for both high schoolers and for elementary students. I learned a lot about how to establish a rapport with students and how to best work in a one-on-one environment. My love of Chemistry grew while taking AP Chemistry and I saw that I had some natural ability in the subject when I won the county ACS Chemistry award. This insight and ability propelled me through my undergraduate career. I completed my B.S. degree in Chemistry in April 2015 at Brigham Young University. I also tutored while in college, mainly in general and organic Chemistry, and learned more about how to teach these tough subjects and how to explain abstract concepts in a simplistic way. I developed a passion for tutoring in college and continued to grow this passion post graduation as I have been tutoring since graduation. I have a real love for Chemistry and love to see Chemistry thrones in the world around me, and feel that through tutoring I can spread some of the joy I have for science.

My goal when tutoring any student is chiefly to help them grasp and understand the concepts that are expected of them. I do this through practice problems and reviewing previous materials. Often the major road block for students in comprehending science and math subjects is that they don't have a context of when to use the knowledge or they don't see the concepts in the world around them. I try and alleviate that by using real world examples or actual applications of the concepts. I truly have seen tutoring work as I have been tutored in math before and have seen just how effective and important a motivated and dedicated tutor can be, and I will strive to accomplish that goal as well as any other goals parents have.

Alexander’s Qualifications

Education & Certification

Undergraduate Degree: Brigham Young University-Provo - Bachelors, Chemistry

Hobbies

I like to go skiing as well as hiking in the mountains. I also love going rock climbing either indoors in a gym or outside. Reading is also one of my hobbies and my favorite book is "The Great Gatsby." I think Chemistry is awesome.

Tutoring Subjects

Q & A

What might you do in a typical first session with a student?

Normally in a first session, I try and evaluate their level of understanding of the material they are learning right then. If their main issues are surrounding understanding the current material, I would review that material and help them through their homework. If the issues are more deeply rooted, then I will go back and review the basics.

How would you help a student stay motivated?

Motivation comes from feeling like you are succeeding and feeling confident in your abilities. I try and always compliment my students, no matter how small the success is.

If a student has difficulty learning a skill or concept, what would you do?

I review the subject and explain it. If they are still not understanding, I try and explain it in a different way, and then ask them to explain it back to me.

How do you help students who are struggling with reading comprehension?

I help them identify context clues in order to build their comprehension.

How do you build a student's confidence in a subject?

Confidence comes from comprehending a subject, and that comes from practice, practice, practice.

How do you evaluate a student's needs?

I evaluate a student's needs simply by asking questions and following their thought process.

What types of materials do you typically use during a tutoring session?

I like to switch it up and focus on a combination of their current homework and review type worksheets.

What techniques would you use to be sure that a student understands the material?

I like to use practice problems where I don't help them at all. Also I like to hear their thought process when working through problems.

How do you adapt your tutoring to the student's needs?

I adjust when necessary. If, for example, a student seems to struggle with one subject more than another, I focus more on that subject and do more review and practice problems on it.

How would you help a student get excited/engaged with a subject that they are struggling in?

A large part of being engaged with a subject is from finding something that interests you within the subject, and I feel real-world examples help to engage and excite students.

What strategies have you found to be most successful when you start to work with a student?

I like to assess their ability by first going through their current homework and seeing where they struggle, and if/how much review I should do.

What is your teaching philosophy?

My teaching philosophy is that I want to see students/parents achieve their goals, and I want to see the student develop confidence and knowledge in the subject.

How can you help a student become an independent learner?

Independence stems from confidence in a subject, and that comes from practicing a concept until it is an innate ability.