Karl
Certified Tutor
The job of a teacher or tutor involves the consideration of many different factors and variables when working with students. It is not as simple as passing on information about a subject or topic. As instructors, we must not only inform, but also explain, clarify, backtrack, bring in outside examples, and respond to challenging questions. We must comfort and relax our students, and help them develop tools for success. We know that our job is challenging, because if our job were easy, then our students wouldn't need us.
I feel that it takes someone who is cognizant of all of these things in order to be a truly effective educator. During my 8+ years as a high school chemistry teacher and tutor, I have developed the experience and the skills in order to help students with challenging subjects, and not only to improve their grades, but to improve their understanding and confidence with which they approach their classes. While my own knowledge of chemistry and math is very strong, that means nothing if I can not pass it on to people learning the subjects. That is where I take pride in my abilities though - my students over the years consistently praised my ability to take complex ideas and break them down into relatable and manageable ideas. I have seen countless students struggle initially, only to succeed and flourish with a little bit of effort and assistance.
If you are interested in being tutored, you are most likely a bright, hardworking student. Chemistry and math are very difficult subjects to master, and very few people make it through them without the assistance of teachers, peers, or tutors. I am here to help any students that are looking to feel more confident and comfortable, to improve their grades, to gain better understanding of fascinating topics, and to prepare themselves for the rigors of college or graduate school. I will do whatever it takes to help you master the material, drawing on my years of experience and all of the practice I have had with these subjects. I take being an educator very seriously, and I will help anybody that is looking to help themselves.
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Undergraduate Degree: University of Delaware - Bachelors, Chemistry
Graduate Degree: Mercy College - Masters, Adolescent Education
music, reading, movies, sport, hiking, and the beach
- ACT Math
- Algebra
- Algebra 2
- AP Chemistry
- Chemistry
- College Algebra
- College Chemistry
- High School Chemistry
- Honors Chemistry
- Math
- Middle School Science
- Physical Science
- Pre-Algebra
- PSAT Prep
- SAT Math
- SAT Mathematics
- SAT Subject Test in Chemistry
- SAT Subject Tests Prep
- Science
- Test Prep
What is your teaching philosophy?
My teaching philosophy is fairly simple: only through true understanding and conceptualization can one master a topic. It takes the help of teachers, classmates, and family members, but if you work to understand something, things will all seem to fall into place.
What might you do in a typical first session with a student?
In a first session with a student, I am mostly going to focus on establishing a baseline for that student. I will need to determine where that student struggles, where that student is strong, and what underlying background skills and topics are necessary to review. Once I have a better idea of that student's abilities, I can begin to customize a learning plan.
How can you help a student become an independent learner?
The best way to help a student become an independent learner is to make them confident and comfortable with their abilities. When that confidence is achieved, it is much easier for someone to explore on their own.
How would you help a student stay motivated?
That depends on what initially motivates the individual student in the first place. I would see what any student's hopes and desires are, and start from there.
If a student has difficulty learning a skill or concept, what would you do?
There is always a reason for that difficulty. Together, through practice and discussion, we would find that reason and find a way to work through it. I have never taught a subject that was impossible to learn for anyone - some just require a little more effort and evaluation.
How do you help students who are struggling with reading comprehension?
Stick to the basics. Reading comprehension struggles often stem from a lack of attention or interest (or both). We would work together on how to stay focused through an entire passage, while I checked to see if there were any other issues like vocabulary or sentence structure that we needed to work on.