
Meredith
Certified Tutor
Undergraduate Degree: College of William and Mary - Current Undergrad, Hispanic Studies
SAT Verbal: 730
SAT Writing: 700
Reading, Creative Writing, Art, Horseback Riding, Languages.
What is your teaching philosophy?
I believe that we learn by teaching. I have spent most of my life learning by teaching others, which has cultivated in me a love of both learning and teaching. In my own teaching, I strive to form connections with students, make learning a rewarding experience, and work from a student's existing knowledge and success to attain their academic goals and build confidence.
What might you do in a typical first session with a student?
In a typical first session, I get to know the student, both personally and academically. I ask them to tell me about their academic history and goals. Then we work within the subject they are looking to improve in, breaking down each task or skill into smaller pieces to build upon, and talk about overarching strategies to foster their academic success, both in that subject and others. I always try to end a tutoring session, especially a difficult one, on a positive note.
How can you help a student become an independent learner?
I believe in teaching students skills to help them succeed in all aspects of academics, not just the specific subject in which they are receiving help. This means working with students to help develop time management, organizational skills, and good study techniques that carry into all aspects of learning. I also believe that an important part of my role as a tutor is to help build a student's confidence to tackle academic challenges when on their own, helping them to be more driven, independent students.
How would you help a student stay motivated?
To help students stay motivated, I break tasks, skills, and goals down into manageable blocks and work through them methodically, so that they see their progress. I always praise accomplishment, specifically to give credit where credit is due. This is also where a personal connection with a student comes into play. Understanding a student's background and goals helps to motivate them to persevere when a task is difficult.