Shannen
Certified Tutor
I am a Junior at Villanova University studying math and economics. I am the chairperson for my sorority's philanthropy and I have an outgoing and bubbly personality. I have helped students learn math for as long as I can remember, and I understand where students are coming from when they are struggling. Outside of my interests in school, I love to watch and play all kinds of sports, my personal favorite being lacrosse. I also love to watch college basketball which is a huge bonus of attending Villanova. My goal is to help build the confidence of each student so they can improve their understanding of each problem in front of them. I hope to not only help a student excel in school but also inspire them to realize that if they work hard enough they can succeed at anything.
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Undergraduate Degree: Villanova University - Bachelor in Arts, Mathematics and Economics
Watching sports, played lax, philanthropy work with sorority
What is your teaching philosophy?
The way I teach is to see what the student already knows. If they can start the problem or can give any sort of insight, that can be a confidence booster. From there, we can do the problem together, or I can check what they were doing and guide them in the right direction.
What might you do in a typical first session with a student?
In a first session, I would like to get to know the student a little and gauge how they are doing in class. From there it will be easier to determine how I will work with the student.
How can you help a student become an independent learner?
I can help a student become more independent by encouraging them to start and do as much of each problem that they know how to do. The less help I need to give, the more independent they become.
How would you help a student stay motivated?
I would help a student stay motivated by pointing out how much they already know or have learned and continuously encouraging them in their work.
If a student has difficulty learning a skill or concept, what would you do?
If a student has a more difficult time learning a concept, I will try to come up with more fun ways to remember each part (for example, an acronym or a funny memorization tool).
What strategies have you found to be most successful when you start to work with a student?
I have found that helping boost the confidence of a student helps them answer a question better than second guessing each part they do.
What techniques would you use to be sure that a student understands the material?
I would ask similar types of questions to see how well they perform on each one. If they get it correct, then they understand it.
How do you build a student's confidence in a subject?
I build their confidence by encouraging them to try each part of a question. If they get a part right, I will point it out. If they are unsure, I will say that it's all right and guide them until they can get a part. My goal is to provide confidence in the students based on what they can already do.
How do you evaluate a student's needs?
I evaluate a student's needs by giving them relevant problems and determining how much of them they are able to do on their own.