Max
Certified Tutor
Undergraduate Degree: Marist College - Bachelors, Economics
SAT Composite (1600 scale): 1540
SAT Verbal: 780
SAT Writing: 780
sports, snowboarding, reading
What is your teaching philosophy?
I think that everyone learns differently, and it is up to the tutor to understand how his students learn. I have a good feel for people and believe that I can help any student in a one-on-one session.
What might you do in a typical first session with a student?
In a first session with a student, I need to assess strengths and needs via diagnostic problems. I would follow up with a few fun introductory problems.
How can you help a student become an independent learner?
Students ultimately need to do work for themselves, and I would prepare them to do that by allowing them time and space during our sessions so that they can work independently.
How would you help a student stay motivated?
Keeping the learning environment fun and easygoing is the best way to keep students motivated.
If a student has difficulty learning a skill or concept, what would you do?
There are many different teaching methods; I believe that after a few tries, everyone understands in one way or another.
What strategies have you found to be most successful when you start to work with a student?
First I would need to make a personal connection with the student. The work follows from the relationship!
How would you help a student get excited/engaged with a subject that they are struggling in?
By breaking down each problem and showing the student that the subject is not as impossible as it seems; students tend to warm up to things that used to be difficult.
How do you evaluate a student's needs?
First, I would need to introduce the student to a few problems--some easy, some not so easy--to see where he or she is at with the subject.
How do you adapt your tutoring to the student's needs?
Each person is different. As a tutor I understand this, and can give students space when needed, or give encouragement when needed.
What types of materials do you typically use during a tutoring session?
I use a lot of scratch work, pictures, and diagrams to explain concepts.
How do you help students who are struggling with reading comprehension?
By slowing down! When you go slowly and break problems down, they are not always as difficult as they seem.
What techniques would you use to be sure that a student understands the material?
One of the most effective teaching techniques is Socratic questioning. I would use this to draw answers out from the student as he or she learns the material.
How do you build a student's confidence in a subject?
By keeping our sessions light and easygoing and giving encouragement when needed.