STEM Tutoring
About
I am currently an undergraduate student at the University of Florida Honors Program planning on double majoring in Biochemistry and Neurobiological Sciences. I have been a private tutor since my senior year and have tutored AP Biology, AP Statistics, AP World History, and Algebra 2 Honors. In addition to private tutoring, I have been a member of the Math and Science National Honor Society since my junior year. I was the President of Math Honor Society at my high school and tutored students in Algebra, Geometry and AP Calculus AB. I was a member of the Science National Honor Society and tutored in AP Chemistry. Based on my experience in tutoring, I am passionate about helping people in improving academically and set them up for success.
I graduated 4th in a class of 880 people and scored 1500 on the SAT and 34 (super score) on the ACT. I am also a National AP Scholar and have received multiple recognitions from the University of Cambridge. I won multiple awards throughout high school, such as AP Psychology Student of the Year and AP/AICE Biology Student of the Year. For my extracurriculars, I have been a Taekwondo Instructor for the past six years and also competed in Science Olympiad for the past three years. I have a national medal in Anatomy and Physiology and 36 medals overall.
A link to my LinkedIn account is shown below: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sophia-velasco-903364185/
I enjoy seeing students improve and understand topics. I believe that the effects of teaching are timeless and that students can carry their knowledge everywhere they go and spread it.
Highlights
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Frequently asked questions
What is your typical process for working with a new student?
I will ask my students what areas of topics they need to work on. For instance, if they are struggling with the topic of Differentiation in Calculus, I will have them attempt a sample question. Afterward, I will guide them step by step in the sample question, explain the general topic of differentiation, provide sample questions, and then provide a final question in order to check if my students understand the topic.
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
I have been tutoring for the past three years as a private tutor and member of multiple honor societies at my high school.
Do you have a standard pricing system for your lessons? If so, please share the details here.
I charge $25/hour.
How did you get started teaching?
My first experience in teaching was in Taekwondo through my school's Instructor Program. I shadowed my Grandmaster in teaching and eventually achieved Instructor status after a couple of years. I have been teaching Taekwondo for the past six years and taught state champions and national medalists. I eventually found a love for teaching and wanted to extend that passion in my academics.
What types of students have you worked with?
In Taekwondo, I have worked with ages ranging from 3 years old to adults, so I am familiar with the different methods of learning style for students. In academics, I have mainly tutored high schoolers in different grades (9th-12th graders).
Describe a recent event you are fond of.
My first ever Taekwondo student has been helping me teach classes and I am fond of watching him pick up my teaching style and changing it to accommodate his. I am fond of the memory of watching him teach because I have taught him six years ago and now he is teaching new Taekwondo students. It makes me value the power of education and how timeless it is.
What advice would you give a student looking to hire a teacher in your area of expertise?
For students looking to hire a teacher, make sure to check their credentials and also be cost-efficient.
What questions should students think through before talking to teachers about their needs?
Students should think both their strengths and weaknesses in a core topic and create questions based on those topics. Because tutors have a limited time in teaching, students should be prepared to learn, have questions ready, and have materials available such as notebooks, papers, and pens.