Mike
Certified Tutor
Undergraduate Degree: University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus - Bachelors, Biolgical Sciences
Graduate Degree: New York University - Masters, Biological Sciences
reading, computers, traveling, TV shows
10th Grade
10th Grade Math
10th Grade Reading
10th Grade Writing
11th Grade
11th Grade Math
11th Grade Reading
11th Grade Writing
12th Grade
12th Grade Math
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
Anatomy & Physiology
Basic Computer Literacy
MCAT Biological and Biochemical Foundations of Living Systems
Cell Biology
College Application Essays
College Biology
College Chemistry
College Physics
Developmental Biology
Ecology
Elementary Algebra
Elementary School
Elementary School Math
Elementary School Reading
Elementary School Science
Elementary School Writing
Endocrinology
Epidemiology
Evolution
Evolutionary Biology
General Biology
General Chemistry
Graduate Level Biology
High School
High School Biology
High School Chemistry
High School English
High School Physics
High School Writing
Homework Support
Immunology
Life Sciences
Medicine
Middle School Reading
Middle School Science
Middle School Writing
Molecular Biology
Neuroscience
Other
Pharmacology
Physical Science
Plant Biology
SAT Subject Tests Prep
Study Skills
Study Skills and Organization
Summer
Technology and Coding
What is your teaching philosophy?
I believe in explaining the "why" rather than only the "what," and avoiding boring, straightforward fact memorization.
What might you do in a typical first session with a student?
I will introduce myself and get to know you. It's important to have some time to be friendly so that you and I can work together better. I will then find out what subject and what areas you are struggling in and go over them with you so that you begin to understand them. If you are still struggling, I will develop a personalized teaching plan and goals for you for any future sessions.
How can you help a student become an independent learner?
My teaching philosophy does this through teaching the "why" rather than only fact memorization or doing the work for the student without any actual help. In addition, I can teach study skills and organizational skills that can help the student in every subject, and help them understand any topic better independently.
How would you help a student stay motivated?
I help the student stay motivated by avoiding frustrating them or overwhelming them by breaking difficult topics down into manageable pieces that the student is comfortable with. Once the student sees they can actually understand the topic, it makes them feel motivated and empowered to understand it further.
If a student has difficulty learning a skill or concept, what would you do?
I would teach the student at a slower pace and break the topic down into pieces that were manageable so the student wouldn't become frustrated or overwhelmed. I would make sure the student has confidence in himself or herself so they learn the topic effectively.
What strategies have you found to be most successful when you start to work with a student?
Socializing to break the ice with a student in the beginning helps them to be able to focus on the work, rather than being nervous about their performance or feeling "stupid" or embarrassed about needing help in front of a stranger.
How would you help a student get excited/engaged with a subject that they are struggling in?
By explaining in terms they understand and relating to topics they are interested in so they understand the importance of the subject, rather than just making them memorize information with no basis.
What techniques would you use to be sure that a student understands the material?
I would use practice questions after the student feels he or she understands the material, and see how they do on it. From there, I would see if they can do the questions on their own, and if not, help them more until they can.
How do you build a student's confidence in a subject?
By teaching them the subject and the issues they are struggling with, and showing them that with practice and some teaching they are able to perform the difficult questions on their own.
How do you evaluate a student's needs?
By both asking them and reviewing their past assignments in the subject, and seeing what kinds of questions they struggle with on exams or homework as marked by the teacher. It is also important to listen to the student and see what they feel they need help understanding.
How do you adapt your tutoring to the student's needs?
The pace of tutoring and starting point of a topic will vary widely from student to student depending on their other strengths, age and background. It is important to use this information to tailor the tutoring to the student because one technique does not work for everyone.
What types of materials do you typically use during a tutoring session?
Pencils and paper, laptops or tablets, calculators and colored pens or pencils are all utilized to help a student understand a topic.
How do you help students who are struggling with reading comprehension?
I will go over what the student read and have them explain to me what a sentence or paragraph means to them. If they can't or it is incorrect, then I can explain, even sentence by sentence, what the meaning is so they can feel more confident going forward.