Sara
Certified Tutor
I received my Bachelors of Science in Biology and Masters of Science in Biomedical Sciences from Colorado State University before attending Kansas City University for medical school in 2012. I will be graduating from medical school in May and begin my residency training in Emergency Medicine this summer. I have always had a passion for learning and teaching. I have extensive experience teaching elementary-school age children in math and reading as well as undergraduate, graduate, and medical students in anatomy, physiology, pathophysiology, pharmacology, and microbiology. I am passionate about engaging my students and helping them understand and apply the material. In my free time I love spending time outside in the mountains or running with my dogs, riding horses, and traveling.
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Undergraduate Degree: Colorado State University-Fort Collins - Bachelors, Biology, General
Graduate Degree: Colorado State University-Fort Collins - Masters, Biomedical Sciences
Emergency medicine, International medicine, travel, spanish, Equestrian Eventing, Singing, The Rocky Mountains
- 10th Grade
- 10th Grade Reading
- 10th Grade Writing
- 11th Grade
- 11th Grade Reading
- 11th Grade Writing
- 12th Grade
- 12th Grade Reading
- 12th Grade Writing
- 1st Grade
- 2nd Grade
- 3rd Grade
- 4th Grade
- 5th Grade
- 6th Grade
- 7th Grade
- 8th Grade
- 9th Grade
- Adult Literacy
- Anatomy & Physiology
- AP Psychology
- MCAT Biological and Biochemical Foundations of Living Systems
- College English
- College Essays
- Elementary School
- Emergency Medicine
- Endocrinology
- English
- Essay Editing
- Gastroenterology
- Graduate Test Prep
- High School
- High School English
- High School Writing
- Homework Support
- Immunology
- MCAT Biological and Biochemical Foundations of Living Systems
- Medicine
- Microbiology
- Middle School
- Molecular Biology
- Neurobiology
- Neuroscience
- Other
- Pathology
- Pathophysiology
- Pharmacology
- Physiology
- Psychology
- Reading
- Science
- Social Sciences
- Summer
What is your teaching philosophy?
I believe that spaced repetition and the application of knowledge through problem solving is the key to understanding and retaining information.
What might you do in a typical first session with a student?
During the first session I would spend the first one-third to one-half going over the learning objectives and syllabus, identifying potential weak areas, and discussing how the student learns best. I would utilize the second part of the session to begin going over material as not to waste the student’s time or money.
How can you help a student become an independent learner?
During tutoring sessions I will help the students develop a systematic approach to learning and understanding. By utilizing the student's unique way of learning and practicing the technique that works best for them, they will eventually be able to accomplish the task without the assistance of a tutor.
How would you help a student stay motivated?
Students lose motivation when they are overwhelmed, underwhelmed, or not comprehending what is being taught. By working as a team with the student I will make sure we are working at the right pace and with the right amount of material.
If a student has difficulty learning a skill or concept, what would you do?
I would attempt to teach them the same material in a different way. For example, if I am tutoring a student in anatomy and they are not grasping the information using solely vocabulary or a textbook, I may help them understand the story by drawing the anatomy out with them, or even drawing on myself so they can understand it functionally.
How do you help students who are struggling with reading comprehension?
I will utilize the "SQ3R" strategy of surveying the text, formulating questions, reading the text, reciting what was just read, and reviewing the text at the end.
What strategies have you found to be most successful when you start to work with a student?
I have found that taking the first session to assess goals, challenges, and what works and doesn't work for the student helps establish a cohesive learning relationship moving forward.
How would you help a student get excited/engaged with a subject that they are struggling in?
I have found that students become bored or engaged when they are either not understanding the material or are not being challenged enough. By establishing open lines of feedback and a flexible approach to learning I can help the student become inspired and interested in the subject at hand.
What techniques would you use to be sure that a student understands the material?
I rely on a system of applied knowledge in order to assess the students understanding. If they are able to work through and apply the material then I know they understand.