
Felix
Certified Tutor
Undergraduate Degree: Bloomsburg University of Minnesota - Bachelors, Chemistry
Graduate Degree: Medical University of Lodz - PHD, MD
Reading , traveling, volunteering
Analytical Chemistry
Anatomy & Physiology
AP Research
CLEP Prep
CLEP Biology
CLEP Chemistry
CLEP College Algebra
CLEP College Mathematics
CLEP Precalculus
College Application Essays
College Biology
College Chemistry
DAT
Elementary School Math
Epidemiology
GED Math
GED Science
High School Biology
High School Chemistry
High School Physics
Homework Support
Life Sciences
Medicine
Microsoft Excel
Microsoft Office
Middle School Science
Molecular Biology
NCLEX
Nursing
Other
Pathophysiology
PCAT Biology
Pharmacology
Public Health
SAT Subject Tests Prep
Study Skills
Study Skills and Organization
Summer
Technology and Coding
What is your teaching philosophy?
My philosophy of teaching is based on a belief that learning needs to be student-centered and that students need to be equal partners in the learning process. My role involves using my expertise to put the necessary resources in the hands of the students or more likely to be sure that my students are well equipped to find and evaluate the resources they need to answer their questions.
What might you do in a typical first session with a student?
It will be the beginning of a journey. We will need to break the ice. Find out more about the student, what she/he likes, their strengths, and what possible obstacles may be present. I will love to learn from the student so I can understand how best our teamwork can be successful.
How can you help a student become an independent learner?
By giving them the right to success. Hone in on their strength and amplify them to overcome possible weaknesses. Stay positive, encourage them to work hard, and provide good feedback. Bring out the "can do attitude" in the student.
How would you help a student stay motivated?
I do so by giving credit to students in ways big and small. Set high, yet realistic expectations. I make sure I voice these expectations. I also set short terms goals and celebrate when they are achieved.
If a student has difficulty learning a skill or concept, what would you do?
We all have some Achilles heels. I do understand that we'll get the students to understand that they may not be alone. The issue is how to tackle it. I will try to understand the problem well, find out why there may be such difficulties, and look for ways to overcome these difficulties together.
How do you help students who are struggling with reading comprehension?
Encourage them to take their time to understand what they are reading. Read it back to themselves and explain in their own words. Encourage them to practice.
What strategies have you found to be most successful when you start to work with a student?
By providing students with the freedom of choice of what and how they want to learn. Having procedural choices e.g., making the student choose from a list of homework assignments. Help the student understand that we are in this together and success will not elude us.
How would you help a student get excited/engaged with a subject that they are struggling in?
It is always better to go to the basics. Most students struggle because they have a missing piece that needs to be put together or just lack the fundamentals. Once we do that, we move up stepwise, always checking ourselves to see the concept or the topic becomes clear. We look for possible historical factors that are causing this, e.g. "I have never been good in chemistry" or "Math is not my thing." We will try to find ways to develop a positive attitude towards the topic or subject.
What techniques would you use to be sure that a student understands the material?
Feedback is key. Ways to get feedback are 1) quizzes, 2) provide me challenging situation (question), 3) explain to me what they have learned, and 4) an interactive review by letting the student provide most of the information.
How do you build a student's confidence in a subject?
Reward achievements. Everyone feels better when they give themselves some recognition for a job well done, even a small accomplishment. I use positive reinforcement that helps the students work harder to get better. The mindset of the student is very important, but we try to change that by providing good experiences and good results that the student can see. I am also sensitive to the needs and challenges of the student.
How do you evaluate a student's needs?
By getting to know the student more and making the student comfortable with me. After that, we can begin to talk about the needs and work on them.
How do you adapt your tutoring to the student's needs?
First of all, we need to learn or know about the need. Then look for other ways to get it to work. For example, move to a more visual learning style if needed, use different kinds of media (videos/audios), more hands on, etc.
What types of materials do you typically use during a tutoring session?
I use maps, flow charts, or webs to organize materials. I also highlight and color code books/notes to organize the material. I write out and use flashcards for review of material. I draw pictures or cartoons of concepts and use electronic resources etc.