Carissa
I am an Ecology and English double major at the University of Denver. I have experience tutoring since I helped tutor students at my mother's elementary school, but I also tutored upper grades as part of a program at my high school. I am most passionate about Science, English Literature, Reading, and History.
For tutoring, I believe in going at the student's pace. I believe there is no use in forcing a student to move forward in a subject before they are ready. That being said, I think it is the job of a tutor to help students understand the subjects they are struggling in to help them move forward and excel in all subjects. I like to use worksheets, real world problems, and countless examples to help students. For test prep, I like to help students gain better time management skills and help them learn how to answer the questions to the best of their ability in the time they are given. I also think that learning should be fun, and I try my best to make students want to participate and to motivate them to do better.
University of Denver - Current Undergrad, Ecology and English
ACT English: 33
ACT Reading: 33
College English
Comparative Literature
High School English
Homework Support
Other
What is your teaching philosophy?
I believe that students learn at different levels and it is the job of a tutor to help them figure out what works best for them. I also believe that students learn at their own pace, and a tutor can be useful in helping boost a student's confidence and ability to learn.
What might you do in a typical first session with a student?
During a first session, I think it is best to see where a student is and what needs to be worked on. If they are excelling in one area, the first session can show me that I do not need to focus on that area; rather, I can focus on other topics. To test a student's abilities, I may use worksheets or other testing methods to see what needs improvement. In addition, it is important to listen to what the student and parents want to get out of the tutoring experience.
How can you help a student become an independent learner?
Showing a student how to learn is the first step, and then letting them practice it on their own helps them become independent learners. Tutors can help students along the way, but the ultimate goal is to have the students be able to learn and develop study habits on their own.
What strategies have you found to be most successful when you start to work with a student?
When I work with students, I have found that showing them how to do it a few times helps enforce what they are learning. The next step is letting them practice on their own with assistance when they need it. I have found that the more a student practices examples themselves, the more likely they are to succeed.
What techniques would you use to be sure that a student understands the material?
I like to use worksheets, real world examples, and follow up questions during the next session to see if the subject was retained.
