About
As a skilled professional educator, I offer 20 years experience teaching in the biological science fields, including Biology, Biochemistry, Chemistry, Genetics, Cell Biology and Biotechnology. I have extensive classroom, laboratory and field experience.
I teach by first accessing students' pre-existing knowledge, then using real-world, authentic context, and constructing knowledge with my students based on their individualized learning needs and pace. I model my tutoring services after UDL, Universal Design for Learning, which originated in the special education department at Harvard. This method provides each individual learner with increased access to learning content(identify strengths such as visual, auditory, or kinesthtic learning styles), clear, simplfied presentation of material to be learned, patient collaboration with the student at the student's individualized level (I meet them where they are), and finally allow the student to express, summarize or complete learning content, supporting them in a way that works for them as a unique individual.
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Jenifer B.
CBS
Frequently asked questions
What is your typical process for working with a new student?
First, greet student(s) and parent(s), agree on a goal based on the student's learning needs.
1. Activate student's previous knowledge.
2. Body of lesson can be: UDL style, I do-> we do-> you do, interactive lecture, or discuss effective learning mode(s) student/parent suggests.
3. Assessment and/or summarizer as needed, completion of task/assignment; schedule next session.
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
I have experienced 20+ years of a successful and fulfilling teaching career. My career focus has been teaching Science at the high school and college levels, with primary expertise in Biology and similar life sciences. I am also experienced teaching grades K-8 and welcome all learners and learning styles.
Master of Education from Our Lady of the Elms College
Bachelor of Science, Biology/Biochemistry Concentration
Teaching License: Biology (Gr. 8-12)
Do you have a standard pricing system for your lessons? If so, please share the details here.
I ask $50. per hour session, $25 for a half hour. I use PayPal for payments (send to Jenifer Berrelli).
-note only one "n" in Jenifer
You may request an invoice ahead of our tutoring session(s).
How did you get started teaching?
Early in my career, my professors reached out and encouraged me to do an independent honors biology project, and invited me to do a biology teaching internship. My path was evident... :)
What types of students have you worked with?
In college and beyond, I tutored adults in Biology, Microbiology, Anatomy & Physiology and Biochemistry.
Much of my career has been working with high school students. My expertise extends to the struggling learners, English language learners and students with special education needs.
Describe a recent event you are fond of.
My high school students had been struggling with remote learning in many of their classes, and struggling with the new-norm of life during a pandemic. I felt I needed to be the normalcy and connection they needed, to link them to others who are also going through tough times just like them. We greeted each other, talked for the first 3-5 minutes about what was on our minds, then moved into some fundamental content. We kept our lessons succinct, teaching the most relevant information with structured, interactive collaboration. My students happily thanked me at the end of each remote session. We felt like a community and it was fun for the students to see each other in their homes.
What advice would you give a student looking to hire a teacher in your area of expertise?
I would strongly advise you to book a lesson with me, especially if you need help in Biology! I offer my students expertise in Biology and similar life sciences content like genetics, biotechnology, molecular biology, biochemistry, nutrition, ecology and environmental science. Together we would collaborate to determine your learning needs and individualize your instruction.
What questions should students think through before talking to teachers about their needs?
Student self-reflection questions:
1. What kind of learner am I? Do I prefer hearing, seeing or hands-on learning?
2. What do I know so far? What content do I need to learn?
3. How is my learning relevant and important to me?
4. Do I have any special learning needs I should discuss with my teacher/tutor?