Joe
Certified Tutor
I just recently graduated from Villanova University with a BS in Chemical Engineering, and dual minors in Biology and Bioengineering. At Villanova, I was the president of the Club Running team, Commissioner of Intramural Sports, and heavily involved in service. Outside of the classroom, I've held internships and co-ops with ChemSolv, Inc., GlaxoSmithKline, and Johnson & Johnson, as well as presented research at the American Chemical Society National Expo. Beginning in the fall of 2015 I will pursue a PhD in Chemical Engineering at MIT.
My hobbies include every and all sports, both playing and watching, playing keyboard and singing vocals in a local rock band, cooking, and outdoors activities. My go-to fun-fact is that I am the youngest of 9 children!
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Undergraduate Degree: Villanova University - Bachelor of Science, Chemical Engineering
Graduate Degree: Massachusetts Institute of Technology - PHD, Chemical Engineering
- SAT Composite (1600 scale): 1550
- SAT Math: 750
- SAT Verbal: 730
- SAT Writing: 790
Playing and watching sports, singing and playing keyboard in a local rock band, cooking, and outdoors activities
- 10th Grade
- 10th Grade Math
- 10th Grade Reading
- 10th Grade Writing
- 11th Grade
- 11th Grade Math
- 11th Grade Reading
- 11th Grade Writing
- 12th Grade
- 12th Grade Math
- 12th Grade Reading
- 12th Grade Writing
- 1st Grade
- 1st Grade Math
- 1st Grade Reading
- 1st Grade Writing
- 2nd Grade
- 2nd Grade Math
- 2nd Grade Reading
- 2nd Grade Writing
- 3rd Grade
- 3rd Grade Math
- 3rd Grade Reading
- 3rd Grade Science
- 3rd Grade Writing
- 4th Grade
- 4th Grade Math
- 4th Grade Reading
- 4th Grade Science
- 4th Grade Writing
- 5th Grade
- 5th Grade Math
- 5th Grade Reading
- 5th Grade Writing
- 6th Grade
- 6th Grade Math
- 6th Grade Reading
- 6th Grade Science
- 6th Grade Writing
- 7th Grade
- 7th Grade Math
- 7th Grade Reading
- 7th Grade Science
- 7th Grade Writing
- 8th Grade
- 8th Grade Math
- 8th Grade Reading
- 8th Grade Science
- 8th Grade Writing
- 9th Grade
- 9th Grade Math
- 9th Grade Reading
- 9th Grade Writing
- Adult Literacy
- Algebra
- Algebra 2
- Algebra 3/4
- Biology
- Calculus
- Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering
- Chemical Engineering
- Chemistry
- College Algebra
- College Biology
- College Chemistry
- College English
- College Essays
- College Physics
- Competition Math
- Elementary School
- Elementary School Math
- Elementary School Reading
- Elementary School Science
- Elementary School Writing
- English
- Geometry
- GRE Analytical Writing
- GRE Quantitative
- High School
- High School Biology
- High School Chemistry
- High School English
- High School Physics
- High School Writing
- Math
- Microbiology
- Middle School
- Middle School Reading
- Middle School Science
- Middle School Writing
- Other
- Physical Science
- Physics
- Pre-Algebra
- Pre-Calculus
- Quantitative Reasoning
- SAT Math
- SAT Mathematics
- SAT Subject Test in Mathematics Level 1
- SAT Subject Test in Mathematics Level 2
- SAT Subject Tests Prep
- Science
- Test Prep
- Trigonometry
What is your teaching philosophy?
Multiple studies have shown that they key to retaining and understanding information is repetition. I practice a layered approach to teaching, from introduction, to reinforcement, to practice, to mastery. This approach relies heavily on the student taking an active role in learning, with multimedia tools and sufficient practice to truly understand the content explored in each session.
What might you do in a typical first session with a student?
There are three important requirements of a first session: understanding the student's needs, building trust, and outlining what will be achieved over the course of the sessions. First, I will do everything I can to learn the student's behaviors and preferences, as well as what he or she and the parent(s) expect to get out of the tutoring. Next, I will explain a bit about myself and my qualifications to ensure trust in the sessions. Finally, I will present a detailed plan of objectives to be achieved in each session, as well as overall progress, which will be demonstrated through graded content.
How can you help a student become an independent learner?
It is important not to simply teach the material for a given subject, but rather to give the student the tools to approach every subject with focus and efficiency. I will introduce a few different proven learning techniques and customize them for the student to find the best solution. That way, the student will not only perform to satisfaction in the specific course content, but overall improvement in all subjects will be achieved.
How would you help a student stay motivated?
The best source of motivation is proven success. By starting the sessions with graded content to show the student where he or she started, concrete improvement can be shown throughout the course of the sessions. Thus, at a time when the student feels discouraged, there will be metrics available to show him or her how far they have already come, and how much further there is potential to go.
If a student has difficulty learning a skill or concept, what would you do?
Every student is unique in his or her approach to, and understanding of, a particular concept. It is important to be persistent and reassuring in trying different approaches to learning, as well as different forms of teaching (traditional, multimedia, demonstrations). Even the most successful students find some approaches to work better than others. I will ensure the student finds one that works for them, not just in these tutoring sessions, but in future subject areas.
How do you build a student's confidence in a subject?
The proven source of confidence for a student is preparedness. When the student does not feel prepared, it is only then that he or she lacks confidence and feels anxious. Through a combination of multiple approaches to learning and sufficient practice, the subject matter will become second-nature for the student, and will consequently build solid confidence in his or her abilities.
How do you evaluate a student's needs?
In the first session, I will survey both the student and his or her parent(s) (if desired) to learn as much as possible about the student's learning habits, past performance, and future needs. After getting the best understanding possible to get started, throughout sessions I will always begin with an overview of topics. Then, through observation and practicing content, I will see with which concepts the student struggles and devote more time to those.