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Derek

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My name is Derek. I am a recent graduate from the University of California at Santa Barbara, where I was a part of the Honors Program and graduated with High Honors. I have always loved learning and academics in general, and will hopefully soon be pursing a graduate degree in Political Science.

I have a large amount of experience tutoring students in late elementary through high school in one-on-one settings. My students have ranged from highly motivated individuals wanting to go from a B+ to an A to students having difficulty passing a tough class, and I strive to match my style and depth of instruction with the knowledge level of the student.

I strongly believe everybody has the potential to succeed, and a recurring theme of my tutoring is that my students should recognize their own potential by 1) identifying their current position, 2) identifying their desired position, and 3) setting schedules and goals that help the former become the latter.

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Derek’s Qualifications

Education & Certification

Undergraduate Degree: University of California-Santa Barbara - Bachelors, Political Science and Government

Test Scores

SAT Composite (1600 scale): 1530

SAT Math: 790

SAT Verbal: 780

Hobbies

Video games, reading, history, bad jokes, learning

Tutoring Subjects

Algebra

Algebra 2

American Literature

College Level American History

College Level American Literature

English

Essay Editing

Geography

Geometry

High School English

High School Geography

High School Level American History

High School Level American Literature

High School World History

High School Writing

History

Math

Middle School Reading

Middle School Reading Comprehension

Middle School Writing

Other

Pre-Algebra

Pre-Calculus

SAT Prep

SAT Math

Social Studies

Study Skills

Study Skills and Organization

Test Prep

World History

Q & A

What is your teaching philosophy?

I strongly believe everybody has the potential to succeed, and a recurring theme of my tutoring is that my students should recognize their own potential by 1) identifying their current position, 2) identifying their desired position, and 3) setting schedules and goals that help the former become the latter.

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

I would initially ask them about what they enjoy and what they are passionate about in life. Then, I would discuss the more serious topics or subjects that I will be tutoring them in. Finally, I hope to find ways to link success in academics with what they are passionate about. Once we have decided upon shared goals, we can discuss what teaching methods they have liked the most and which ones have worked for me (as a tutor) in the past. I prefer for tutoring to be a conversation rather than dictation; such an approach demonstrates respect to young pupils who, oftentimes, will gladly put in work as long as they understand why they are doing it.

How can you help a student become an independent learner?

Independent learning is the result of active decision-making by the student. My exercises in identifying goals and ways to achieve them can be related to the effort that a student can put in on their own time. If they are committed to having no C's, we can discuss 1) where they should focus, 2) what work to do, and 3) how much they should do on a weekly basis.

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