Marvin
Certified Tutor
Undergraduate Degree: Florida International University - Bachelors, English
Music
American Literature
Elementary School Reading
Elementary School Writing
High School English
High School Level American Literature
High School Writing
Middle School Reading
Middle School Reading Comprehension
Middle School Writing
What is your teaching philosophy?
Every student is different.
What might you do in a typical first session with a student?
I use ice breakers and light assessments with math from various grades.
How can you help a student become an independent learner?
I structure tutoring sessions around good organization, detailed note taking, deconstruction of textbook formatting, context clues, and I stress the strength of the internet as an infinite resource.
How would you help a student get excited/engaged with a subject that they are struggling in?
I use educational videos, attach subject to their interests and or idols. E.g.: speed = distance over time. For a young boy, this could possibly be taught with the visual of a football field's yard line and a famous football player doodled on paper.
What techniques would you use to be sure that a student understands the material?
Questioning along the lines of the multi-levels of Bloom's Taxonomy.
How do you build a student's confidence in a subject?
Start small with the most simple concepts and then slowly advance. Highlight and emphasize growth and success every step of the way.
How do you evaluate a student's needs?
I conduct an initial assessment upon introduction, use math problems of varying levels, look at writing samples, conduct reading comprehension drills, ask parents, and email a student's teachers.
How do you adapt your tutoring to the student's needs?
Take note in post-lesson, and I reflect on what worked and what did not. Figure out how to improve. I bring materials and strategies appropriate for that student's learning style. I research new methods of dealing with a student's specific issues and try them all until one method excels.
How do you help students who are struggling with reading comprehension?
I teach my students a variety of skills: identification of main idea; context clues; encourage googling of vocabulary; common affixes/word dissection; annotation; visualization. We also read together in turn and often stop for understanding via questioning for student interpretation.