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Andrew
Certified Tutor
Education & Certification
Undergraduate Degree: Bard College - Bachelors, Classical Studies
Graduate Degree: Bank Street College of Education - Masters, Museum Education
Hobbies
animals/pets, cooking, travel, history, reading and writing fiction
Tutoring Subjects
Adult ESL/ELL
American Literature
AP Art History
Art History
College Level American Literature
College World History
Elementary School Math
Elementary School Reading
Elementary School Writing
High School English
High School Level American Literature
High School World History
High School Writing
IB Geography
IB World Religions
Middle School Reading
Middle School Reading Comprehension
Middle School Writing
What is your teaching philosophy?
Not everyone has the same skills and interests, but any subject can be made interesting to any person, if you find the right way of framing it to appeal to that specific learner.
What might you do in a typical first session with a student?
Introduce ourselves, and I would ask them about their favorite and least favorite subjects. Knowing the areas they enjoy or excel in can help me leverage them in the areas in which they struggle. Then I would ask them to do something for practice so that I can assess their ability for myself (solve a problem, read a passage aloud, etc.).
How can you help a student become an independent learner?
By encouraging them to voice their opinions and questions. If they want to know more about something, they should develop the habit of seeking knowledge out on their own.
How would you help a student stay motivated?
I would try to be attentive to their needs (like when they need a break or when they just aren't getting something I'm explaining and I need to try a different approach). I also try to insert a bit of humor and fun into my teaching to make it more enjoyable.
If a student has difficulty learning a skill or concept, what would you do?
Rethink my strategy for approaching that concept; if it's not working, we'll try something else. And try to appeal to that student's interests (for example, if they are trying to improve their writing, maybe they'll be more inspired if they get to choose the topic they write about).
How do you help students who are struggling with reading comprehension?
Matching and other games are a good way to build comfort with higher-level vocabulary. Teaching common word endings and stems can also equip students to approach a word they've never seen before.
What strategies have you found to be most successful when you start to work with a student?
Just listening carefully to the student's needs and adjusting my own strategies as necessary to fit those needs, and trying to have a positive attitude and a good sense of humor in general.
How would you help a student get excited/engaged with a subject that they are struggling in?
Finding connections with a subject or hobby they enjoy.