Dakota
Certified Tutor
I am a native Texan now living in NYC. I just finished my Master's degree, and I love food, reading, and travel. I've been working and volunteering as a tutor since my high school days, and I am eager to provide advanced-level assistance to you! I'm a friendly, approachable person who maintains a professional but fun learning atmosphere. And, most importantly, we get hard work done!
I believe I can provide tremendous assistance tutoring everything from ACT prep to Shakespeare and existential philosophy. My learning background is diverse, and my objective-based tutoring style is sure to lead to success. When we tackle problems, we are learning the how? and why?, not just the what? I aim to develop skills that the student can carry forward in his or her academic life, and my measured goal-setting will help student and tutor remain highly-motivated and see their efforts pay off significantly.
Feel free to contact me at any time! I'm truly passionate about tutoring, and cannot wait to get started with you. I can guarantee a hard-working, experienced tutor who will do everything he can to fulfill your academic needs.
Connect with a tutor like Dakota
Undergraduate Degree: Vanderbilt University - Bachelor in Arts, Philosophy
Graduate Degree: New York Film Academy - Master of Fine Arts, Screenwriting
- ACT Composite: 33
- ACT English: 36
- ACT Math: 31
- ACT Reading: 32
- ACT Science: 31
Film, literature, travel, cooking.
- 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 Science
- 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
- ACT English
- ACT Science
- ACT Writing
- Adult Literacy
- American Literature
- Arithmetic
- College English
- College Essays
- College Level American History
- College Level American Literature
- College Math
- College World History
- Comparative Literature
- Creative Writing
- Elementary School
- Elementary School Math
- Elementary School Reading
- Elementary School Science
- Elementary School Writing
- English
- English Grammar and Syntax
- Essay Editing
- Ethics
- Expository Writing
- Fiction Writing
- High School
- High School Chemistry
- High School English
- High School Level American History
- High School Level American Literature
- High School World History
- High School Writing
- History
- IB Extended Essay
- IB Film
- IB Film HL
- IB Global Politics
- IB Global Politics SL
- IB History
- IB History HL
- IB History SL
- IB Language A: Language and Literature
- IB Language A: Language and Literature HL
- IB Language A: Language and Literature SL
- IB Language A: Literature
- IB Language A: Literature HL
- IB Literature and Performance
- IB Literature and Performance SL
- IB Philosophy
- IB Philosophy HL
- IB Philosophy SL
- Intermediate Algebra
- Introduction to Fiction
- Law
- Math
- Middle School
- Middle School Math
- Middle School Reading
- Middle School Science
- Middle School Writing
- Persuasive Writing
- Philosophy
- Poetry
- Poetry Writing
- Political Science
- Pre-Algebra
- Reading
- Shakespeare
- Short Novel
- Social Sciences
- Social Studies
- Study Skills and Organization
- Summer
- Technical Writing
- Technology and Coding
- US History
- Vocabulary
- World Civilization
- World History
- World Literature
- Writing
What is your teaching philosophy?
My teaching philosophy is that a positive attitude and an objective-based approach can make tackling even the most difficult problems more manageable. We will look to not just answer one question, but to understand the underlying concept the question is hoping for us to employ and then apply a relevant strategy for success.
What might you do in a typical first session with a student?
We might outline goals, struggles, strengths, and expectations, along with some friendly get to know you time and some hard work! I aim to create a friendly, open atmosphere, but also one in which we improve as learners.
How can you help a student become an independent learner?
My objective-based approach to learning is helpful in developing skills to not just answer questions, but to also understand them - and this is a strategy that makes for optimal independent learners.
How would you help a student stay motivated?
Motivation can be fueled by clear and approachable goals, and as long as we keep our desired long-term outcomes in mind, the hard work becomes worth it and rewarding.
If a student has difficulty learning a skill or concept, what would you do?
I would maintain a positive attitude while also seeking to understand the root of the difficulty. As a result, I will aim to explain the concept from the ground up, or change approaches to a teaching style that better suits the student.
How do you help students who are struggling with reading comprehension?
There are a number of strategies that help with reading comprehension (e.g., reading the questions before the passage) but there are also valuable skills in understanding reading and question procedures that I can help with that provide universal comprehension skills.
What strategies have you found to be most successful when you start to work with a student?
Trust, friendliness, and passion are paramount, but we also benefit if we share an idea of what success looks like and how to get there.
How would you help a student get excited/engaged with a subject that they are struggling in?
Most subjects can become imminently fascinating as long as the student understands how they relate to their real life. I hope to share new teaching styles that make potentially dense material fresh and revitalized.
What techniques would you use to be sure that a student understands the material?
I think that a student truly understands material when they can subsequently take conceptual learning and apply it to a different but similar set of problems. I hope to ensure student success even when the tutor is not there to assist.
How do you build a student's confidence in a subject?
Confidence is largely a byproduct of understanding and success. By building skills and knowledge from the ground up, tackling the easier problems not only helps feel energized and capable, it also enhances abilities to complete more advanced problems that come later.
How do you evaluate a student's needs?
A student's needs are based largely on goals, expectations, and evaluations of parents, teachers, or anyone else close to the student. Additionally, any part of the learning that they feel unclear on, should be addressed as a need for approaching in a different way.
How do you adapt your tutoring to the student's needs?
I have a solid enough grasp on the material to alter my teaching approach based on the needs and learning style of the student. From basic-concept-learning to expert-level-refreshing, I am happy to provide any service the student requires or might benefit from.
What types of materials do you typically use during a tutoring session?
From textbooks to real-world examples, I am eager to present material in a way the student understands and relates to, even adjusting my approach on the fly, if necessary. I'm here to help!