Darrick

Certified Tutor

Call us today to connect with a top tutor

I tutor currently Biology and Chemistry. I am not doing physics right now as I am still working on simple strategies that makes physics easier to understand.

If interested in me, please let me know what your problem area is. The better prepared I am, the quicker I can help.

The Sciences are really not that difficult. If you can first understand the basic concepts, you can start making meaningful connections of all those words we throw at you.

I love learning and I hope I can convey that when I work with students.

I love learning. That's what I want students to get. If you love learning. You are curious. If you are curious, you are ready to change and listen to learn new things. Then the high stakes tests won't make you so nervous. It's got to begin with the fun of learning, of using the math with science, using the history and science, and use technology to learn. So less emphasis on the vocabulary at first - let's get the concept, direction, the goal. Then when that is understood, let's start labeling with the vocabulary. And that's our challenge as both the teacher, tutor, and student.

So, my approach in the classroom in TN was about LET's DO - diagrams, concept maps, drawing, chem labs, demonstrations - anything that we can see, feel, or do.

So...
1. Find a way to get the student interested.
2. Adapt the approach so that it meets the students needs.
3. That means take time to listen to the student.

How do we get them to be interested:
1. students learn different ways - adapt.
2. students learn at different speeds - be patient.
3. Students don't be afraid to share with the tutor what you think you know. Then we can share and try to make the understanding better.
4. What we learn has to be real to us.
5. Than discipline takes its place - how do we study, how much time, how can we improve in those techniques.
6. Than we can strive for excellence. The C grade can be a B and the B can go to an A. Reach for higher goals.

This passion was reflected in my early life: Bachelors in psychology (pre medicine focus) and a Masters in how children learn(focus in learning disabilities). I spent some time working on another degree(PhD) at Vanderbilt university in clinical psychology. I even went to Belmont University to develop my skills as a musician and choral conductor. I love to learn.

So after 32 years of teaching high school(mostly chemistry), I hope to continue to learn and love that experience.

I also hope that I can share my passion of learning with you (Chemistry & Biology). Good luck this year. It will be fine.

Darrick’s Qualifications

Education & Certification

Undergraduate Degree: University of Alabama at Huntsville - Bachelors, Psychology

Graduate Degree: University of Alabama at Huntsville - Masters, Developmental Learning

Hobbies

love playing the piano.

Tutoring Subjects

Biology

Chemistry

Elementary School Science

Middle School Science

Music

Piano

Science

Q & A

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

Find out about the student. Ask the student about favorite classes and not so favorite classes. What things the teacher does that works for the student. What things teacher did that did not work.

How can you help a student become an independent learner?

Don't be afraid to answer tough questions - even if you are wrong, because true thinkers do not know all the answers. They have created a process (science) to EXPLORE those answers.

How would you help a student stay motivated?

Be positive and give feedback a lot. Take a break when the student needs one. Set clear goals at the beginning and see if they have been accomplished at the end.

How do you help students who are struggling with reading comprehension?

Explore strategies on how to read with understanding and how to take notes. Break down large reading assignments to smaller pieces - discussing each piece, and then putting it all together. Create simple to difficult concept maps to reflect what was learned. Use different colors to highlight.

How would you help a student get excited/engaged with a subject that they are struggling in?

Allow them to succeed in smaller steps to the bigger steps. That means provide POSITIVE feedback. Tell when they are doing something right and give tips on how to keep the progress up rather than saying YOU DID THAT WRONG.

What techniques would you use to be sure that a student understands the material?

Reflective journals and acting it out. You be the teacher and teach me this concept. Based on the lecture, what 4 things did you learn? Small pop quizzes. Playing a game.

How do you build a student's confidence in a subject?

Let them know they are capable. We all learn differently, and we all learn things we like more than other things. Let them know in time, they will get this stuff. Be willing to listen to them without interrupting.

How do you evaluate a student's needs?

Answers to questions at the end of sessions. Through problem solving and journaling. Quizzes rather than long tests. Knowing the EXPECTATIONS so they can get immediate feedback on what expectations they mastered and expectations they did not master.

How do you adapt your tutoring to the student's needs?

Be aware of what works and does not work. That means bring a variety of activities that are different, and see what works. Discuss openly with student what worked and what did not and how we can continue the process even with strategies that are perceived harder.

What types of materials do you typically use during a tutoring session?

Textbooks, diagrams, concept maps, and videos.

What is your teaching philosophy?

Students can learn at a high level. They can do this if you allow them to know that we are all different, and we learn differently; therefore, I will practice patience as you understand the objective(s).

If a student has difficulty learning a skill or concept, what would you do?

Listen and watch the student. Where are they having problems? Try a different way of dealing with it. I use a lot of demonstrations to make the point. Allow the student to know that if they do not understand; it is more than okay to communicate that with the teacher.

What strategies have you found to be most successful when you start to work with a student?

Get to know them first. Get to know what they think works in class and what does not. Establish expectations for our time together. Make very clear at the beginning of each session, what we hope to accomplish, and then see if we did it.