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Griffin

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I have been tutoring mathematics, science, the ACT/SAT, and many other subjects for more than four years. I studied at the University of California San Diego and received my undergraduate degree in Biochemistry/Chemistry with minors in Cognitive Science and Music, and I later returned to earn my Masters degree in Chemistry. While in graduate school, I gained teaching experience by leading two Organic Chemistry lab classes of more than 20 students, and guiding them trough performing experiments and preparing for their examinations.
I have three brothers, one older and two younger, that have helped me approach teaching from a personalized approach by showing me that they do not respond to information in the same way. Each of them is an individual and has their own abilities that can be used to do great things. By studying Cognitive Science, I realized that each person approaches problem solving from a unique and interesting perspective, and that using their skill set to solve problems is much more successful than providing a general method that works for others. Motivation, stress, conceptual misunderstanding, poor study habits, lack of background knowledge, and lack of confidence are only some of the issues that hold students back from maximizing their potential, and I find great joy in developing a teaching method that assesses and corrects these issues.
I love to surf, play sports, listen to and play music, spend time with friends and family, and learn about anything and everything around me. As your tutor, I am excited to find out about your interests and struggles, and determine a strategy to help you approach learning in a way that builds confidence and understanding. I believe that confidence with regards to academics can carry over into everything else in life by showing a person that they have the ability to solve a problem that seemed daunting beforehand. I am looking forward to guiding you toward personal success and in your academic achievements so that the same "can do" approach carries over into other aspects of your life. You can achieve the goals that you set out to accomplish, and Varsity Tutors and I are excited to help guide you!

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Griffin’s Qualifications

Education & Certification

Undergraduate Degree: University of California-San Diego - Bachelors, Biochemistry/Chemistry

Graduate Degree: University of California-San Diego - Masters, Chemistry

Hobbies

Music, basketball, surfing, football, food, friends, and family!

Tutoring Subjects

10th Grade Math

11th Grade Math

12th Grade Math

1st Grade

1st Grade Math

1st Grade Reading

2nd Grade

2nd Grade Math

2nd Grade Reading

3rd Grade

3rd Grade Math

3rd Grade Reading

3rd Grade Science

4th Grade

4th Grade Math

4th Grade Reading

4th Grade Science

5th Grade

5th Grade Math

5th Grade Reading

5th Grade Science

6th Grade

6th Grade Math

6th Grade Reading

6th Grade Science

7th Grade

7th Grade Math

7th Grade Science

8th Grade

8th Grade Math

8th Grade Science

9th Grade Math

ACT Prep

ACT English

ACT Math

ACT Reading

ACT Science

Advanced Placement Prep

Algebra

Algebra 2

Algebra 3/4

AP Chemistry

Biochemistry

CAHSEE English

Calculus

College Algebra

College Biology

College Chemistry

College Math

DAT Quantitative Reasoning

Elementary Algebra

Elementary School

Elementary School Math

Elementary School Reading

Elementary School Science

General Biology

General Chemistry

Geometry

Graduate Test Prep

GRE Quantitative

High School Chemistry

Honors Chemistry

HSPT Quantitative

IB Mathematics HL

IB Mathematics SL

IB Mathematics: Analysis and Approaches

Intermediate Algebra

Life Sciences

LSAT Analytical Reasoning

Math

Middle School

Middle School Math

Middle School Science

Neuroscience

OAT Quantitative Reasoning

Other

PCAT Chemistry

PCAT Quantitative Ability

Physical Science

Pre-Algebra

Pre-Calculus

PSAT Prep

PSAT Critical Reading

PSAT Mathematics

Quantitative Reasoning

SAT Math

SAT Mathematics

SAT Subject Test in Chemistry

SAT Subject Tests Prep

Science

Special Education

STAAR Grades 3-8 Prep

Summer

Test Prep

Trigonometry

Q & A

What is your teaching philosophy?

I believe that each student needs to develop a personalized approach to learning in order to successfully engage in their subjects and achieve the academic goals they desire. As a tutor, I care deeply about learning the strengths of my students so that I can develop this approach and guide them towards success.

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

I find it best to ask the students what they feel they are struggling with and spend time finding out how they can improve in these areas, while maximizing the areas they are already successful with.

How can you help a student become an independent learner?

In order to help a student become an independent learner, I can help show a them where their strengths and weaknesses lie, and how they can approach learning from a standpoint that builds confidence in their ability to solve the problems they are faced with.

How would you help a student stay motivated?

I can help a student stay motivated by teaching them how to approach academic issues in a general sense, so that when they are encountered with a new problem, they will be able to approach it with confidence. The subject matter needs to be actively engaged, and I can show a student the practicality of what they are learning and encourage interest in that subject.

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

If a student is having difficulty learning a concept or skill, approaching the solution from an alternative viewpoint or providing an analogy is helpful in presenting the information in a personalized way that can be learned by the student. Each student absorbs information differently, and it is important to approach a problem in a way that maximizes their ability to succeed.

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

I can help students struggling with reading comprehension by teaching them how to actively read the information presented to them in a passage and apply it to questions related to the subject matter.

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

A personalized approach is the best way to lead students toward individual success. Having studied cognitive science, I believe that the way each person fundamentally approaches and solves problems is very different, and this needs to be the primary focus when deciding how to guide them toward a better approach to learning.

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

Providing background information or interesting facts about a particular subject can help a student realize that they are solving a problem rather than doing a chore. Academic success is best achieved through active engagement with the materials and presenting the information in a way that draws the attention of the student. Realizing when a student isn't interested is very important, and I can help them focus on the topic by presenting it in a way that suits the individual.

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

I believe that a student must solve a problem in order for them to fully grasp the material. I ask that my students demonstrate their knowledge by presenting them with practice materials and questions to demonstrate their mastery of the material.

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

A student's confidence goes hand in hand with their success. Teaching a student to be successful by utilizing the skills they possess can build their confidence in solving problems and absorbing material by reducing the frustration associated with the difficulties they have faced in the past. A strong work ethic and understanding of where they can improve their study habits will help a student believe that they can achieve their academic goals.

How do you evaluate a student's needs?

I evaluate my students' needs by having them guide me through a problem they are struggling with and assessing where they need to improve. Once a student understands that they are often stuck on a small portion of a problem that they can mostly solve or that their study habits can be improved, they approach their learning from a "can do" viewpoint instead of an "I don't understand" viewpoint.

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

Tutoring is all about adapting to a student's needs. Motivation, conceptual misunderstanding, lack of interest, lack of foundations in the subject, stress, and many other issues can lead a student to struggle with their materials. Finding the right approach to each student's learning needs is fundamental to their success, and something that I take great joy in guiding them through.

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

As I teach many quantitative disciplines, a pencil, paper, highlighter, and a scientific calculator are my main materials. With the online platform that the online platform provides, screen shots, equation generators, color coded text and many other materials give me the ability to personalize my approach toward a student's individual learning needs.

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