Sarah
Certified Tutor
As a current medical school student, I aspire to help other students learn and better themselves. My desire to teach first occurred when I was a teaching assistant in biology lab as an undergraduate. As a TA, I directed lab exercises, ran review sessions and created worksheets and practice problems. As a tutor, I help students learn about their own learning style because not every student learns the same. I think it is important for the student to interact including flash cards, practice problems, diagrams, pictures or other activities that are pertinent to the student and the subject. Although as a tutor it is my job to encourage and help the student, I feel that it is also my job to help the student not to need me anymore. What I mean by this is to allow the student to feel confident, to become a self-learner and to take the skills I teach them to all the subjects they are learning.
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Undergraduate Degree: Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Erie-Behrend College - Bachelors, Biology, General
Graduate Degree: Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine - Current Grad Student, Osteopathic Medicine
Medicine, volleyball, skiing, cooking
- Anatomy
- Anatomy & Physiology
- Biology
- College Biology
- High School Biology
- Life Sciences
- Microbiology
- Psychology
- Science
- Social Sciences
What is your teaching philosophy?
My teaching philosophy is to help the student determine how they learn best. There are many ways to approach learning including diagrams, tables, stories, mnemonics, practice problems, and reading. My goal is help the student find the best way for their learning style.
What might you do in a typical first session with a student?
In a first session I would learn from the student why they need my help. Not all students need the same approach. I would find if they student is having difficulty with the textbook, the teacher, the material, or the type of questions that are on the exams, and would then tailor my teaching style to what they need.
How can you help a student become an independent learner?
As I said in my teaching philosophy, I think it is important for the student to know how they learn best. By knowing this the student can take this approach to other areas of study and can excel in the future. One of my goals is for the student to not need me anymore and be confident with independent learning.
How would you help a student stay motivated?
I would help a student be motivated by allowing them to see their progress. I think one way to do this is to do practice questions. Once the student sees how much they have learned, they can be inspired to learn more.
If a student has difficulty learning a skill or concept, what would you do?
If a student has difficulty I would try to get to the root of the problem. I would find what exactly they struggle with and help them to overcome it. If a student doesn't do well in a class at first it is very easy to become discouraged and develop a mental block to the subject. As their tutor I would help them rebuild their confidence.
How do you help students who are struggling with reading comprehension?
If students are struggling with reading comprehension I would help them learn how to look for key words. In science subjects a lot of the information in the question may not be needed. I would help them to learn what parts are important and not to be overwhelmed by a long question stem.