Sam
Certified Tutor
I am a graduate from the University of Minnesota Duluth with degrees in Cell and Molecular Biology, and Biochemistry, and I earned minors in Math, and Biochemical Engineering. I am currently a PhD student at the University of Delaware. I really enjoy tutoring in math and biology. I can work with the student to take a troublesome topic and break it down step by step so that they have a complete understanding of their material and can show off on the next exam or quiz.
In my free time from school and work I enjoy exploring the outdoors and just taking time to just relax.
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Undergraduate Degree: University of Minnesota-Duluth - Current Undergrad, Cell and Molecular Biology
Rugby/Biology/Math
- 10th Grade Math
- 11th Grade Math
- 12th Grade Math
- 9th Grade Math
- Algebra
- Algebra 2
- AP Calculus AB
- Biology
- Calculus
- College Algebra
- College Biology
- Discrete Math
- Evolutionary Biology
- General Biology
- Genetics
- Geometry
- High School Biology
- Math
- Pre-Algebra
- Pre-Calculus
- Science
What might you do in a typical first session with a student?
I would first ask if the student prefers to learn in a specific way, such as with pictures or verbally.
How can you help a student become an independent learner?
I can help the student become independent by sharing some of the resources and techniques to reach answers that I have used in my academic career.
How would you help a student stay motivated?
To help a student stay motivated I would help them to keep in mind the goal that they are trying to accomplish by doing well in their classes.
If a student has difficulty learning a skill or concept, what would you do?
If there is difficulty learning a concept or skill, the next step I would take would be to approach the situation from another angle.
How do you help students who are struggling with reading comprehension?
To help with students struggling with reading comprehension, I would first help build a vocabulary for the student so that there wouldn't be as many unknown words, thereby making the comprehension easier.
How would you help a student get excited/engaged with a subject that they are struggling in?
To help a student become excited about a subject I would help them understand how what they are doing has a real world application.
What is your teaching philosophy?
My teaching philosophy is that I should help guide students to a full understanding of their material, so that they are fully equipped with all the knowledge needed to succeed.
What strategies have you found to be most successful when you start to work with a student?
I have found that when I am working with a new student it is important to know what they are looking to get out of the session so that I can tailor how I am talking to them specifically.
What techniques would you use to be sure that a student understands the material?
To ensure that a student understands the material I like to have them put an idea in their own words and repeat it to me. Alternatively, while working through a problem together I like to ask questions so they show that they understand.
How do you build a student's confidence in a subject?
To help build a student's confidence I like to go through common types of problems step by step with them, and then once the process is understood, have them work on a few with less and less help from me.
How do you evaluate a student's needs?
I begin evaluating a student's needs by simply asking them what they feel that they need help in. After that, I observe the bumps in the road that come up while we work together, and then help develop their skills in the problem area to build confidence.
How do you adapt your tutoring to the student's needs?
Every student is different and has different problem areas, so when I meet a new student I ask what they feel their needs are. I am then able to identify an optimal approach to whatever issue the student may be having.
What types of materials do you typically use during a tutoring session?
During a session I like to use pen and paper because I believe that seeing a picture or the work written out for a problem is a great way to make the information easy to understand.