Samuel
Certified Tutor
Hello, my name is Sam Tang! I was born in Malaysia and grew up in Texas; I enjoy playing sports, video games, and music. I currently have degrees in Writing, Literature, and PUblishing as well as Higher Education and Student Affairs. Education is a huge passion in my life and I want to encourage the pursuit of it as much as I can! If you need help with grammar, vocabulary, or even with the art of writing an essay or paper, I'd love to help you out. I'm also available to tutor you in basic math and Spanish concepts. For all you IB'ers out there, I'd love to help you with your Extended Essay or Theory of Knowledge adventures. I look forward to meeting you soon!
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Undergraduate Degree: Emerson College - Bachelors, Writing, Literature, and Publishing
Graduate Degree: University of South Carolina - Masters, Higher Education and Student Affairs
- GRE Quantitative: 153
- GRE Verbal: 161
Football, Ultimate Frisbee, Video Games, Cooking, Cello, Piano, Photography
- 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 Math
- ACT Reading
- Adult Literacy
- Algebra
- Cello
- College English
- College Essays
- Comparative Literature
- Elementary School
- Elementary School Math
- Elementary School Reading
- Elementary School Science
- Elementary School Writing
- English
- English Grammar and Syntax
- Essay Editing
- Fiction Writing
- Geometry
- High School
- High School Chemistry
- High School English
- High School Writing
- Homework Support
- IB Extended Essay
- IB Mathematics SL
- IB Mathematics: Analysis and Approaches
- IB Theory of Knowledge
- Introduction to Fiction
- ISEE Prep
- ISEE- Middle Level
- Languages
- Literature
- Math
- Middle School
- Middle School Math
- Middle School Reading
- Middle School Science
- Middle School Writing
- Music
- Other
- Poetry
- Pre-Algebra
- PSAT Prep
- Reading
- SAT Prep
- Social Sciences
- Spanish 1
- SSAT Prep
- SSAT- Middle Level
- Study Skills
- Study Skills and Organization
- Summer
- Test Prep
- Writing
What is your teaching philosophy?
I want to meet my students where they are. I'm going to teach the things they need to know to better grow their knowledge base and to help them understand the basic concepts more thoroughly. With conceptual knowledge, an understanding approach, and a repetitious practice, I believe my students will excel.
What might you do in a typical first session with a student?
The main thing I want to accomplish is to develop an understanding of my students, both as people and as students. This means I'll review previous tests or worksheets they've had trouble with, I'll have them work on sample problems so I can evaluate their problem-solving approach, and I'll ask them questions about themselves and their goals.
How can you help a student become an independent learner?
Students become independent learners when they can begin to question their own knowledge and the knowledge around them. This means as I tutor, I ask my students questions and prompt them to think and to defend or evaluate their answers and work.
How would you help a student stay motivated?
To generate students' motivation, I focus on the pragmatic nature of what we're doing. I have my students focus on the fact that the knowledge they're gaining will serve them for many years to come. I also have the students get involved with the lesson either by having them do the work by hand or by engaging with the material in other meaningful ways.
If a student has difficulty learning a skill or concept, what would you do?
I would either help my student work on that skill or concept over and over again with repetition, since perfect practice is an excellent way to build knowledge of a skill, or I would try to come up with illustrations or examples that would help explain the concept in a way that resonates more with my student's learning style. All students learn differently, so it is important to be able to change gears if a student is having trouble with a certain skill.
How do you help students who are struggling with reading comprehension?
I help the students read aloud with me in a low pressure and fun atmosphere. I would also evaluate what types of words or sounds my students have difficulty with and try to find material that's conducive to working on those specific issues.
What strategies have you found to be most successful when you start to work with a student?
Having the student work on problems without my help, or by reviewing worksheets or tests that my student has struggled with. This allows me to see what in particular my student may have difficulty with and come up with questions that best address that need.
How would you help a student get excited/engaged with a subject that they are struggling in?
I would find ways to create small success for that student. Students often get discouraged when a subject they work in constantly trips them up; they begin to associate that subject with failure and a feeling of loss. By creating small victories, I can create a sense of victory and triumph for my student.
What techniques would you use to be sure that a student understands the material?
I would use practice tests, sample questions, and have my student teach me the material in order to ensure understanding.
How do you evaluate a student's needs?
I review work the student has already done. I also talk to the parents and family members, and have the student work on problems while I observe.
How do you adapt your tutoring to the student's needs?
I first pay attention to what my student needs and adjust from there. Students all have different personalities and need different types of support. Some need to get excited about material, while some students are conceptual learners and need to understand something before working on it. Other students need emotional support before they can tackle different material, and other students just need to be told what to do so they can develop a process. Adjusting and adapting is essential to successful tutoring.
What types of materials do you typically use during a tutoring session?
It depends on the type of student, but I like using online sample tests and workbooks with my students.