About
* 12 years of private tutoring experience and working in the field of education
* Certified teacher in the state of Maryland
* Master of Arts degree in Teaching STEM from Stevenson University
* Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County
* Six years of pharmaceutical industry experience as an Analytical Chemist
* Former adjunct professor at Howard County Community College and Baltimore City Community College
* Calm, patient, and cheerful demeanor eases any student
* Learning styles and student interests incorporated into tutoring, focusing on student strengths while building on student areas for improvement
* Passionate about teaching and encouraging students to succeed in challenging subjects
I found my calling when I began teaching. I love the "aha moments" when my students grasp a new concept.
I enjoy sharing my experiences with my students and helping them reach their academic goals.
I love the one-on-one and small group settings that private tutoring provides. I can get to know the students better and tailor my tutoring to their academic and social-emotional needs.
My favorite thing about teaching is when I get positive feedback from students such as:
* "Mrs. Burch, you're the most patient person I have ever met!"
* "Mrs. Burch, I took physics last year and it didn't go well. I will be taking chemistry this year and I was feeling nervous about it; but after taking your summer chemistry class, I feel more confident about taking chemistry in the Fall. Thank you, Mr.s Burch."
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Charlene M.
M.Lawrence
Frequently asked questions
What is your typical process for working with a new student?
I conduct a Needs Assessment with each new student. This includes the following:
* Content-based Pre-Assessment
* Learning Style Inventory
* Student-Type Survey
* Study Skills Plan & Strategies (if requested)
At the following sessions, I cater my tutoring to the needs of my students.
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
* M.A.T in Teaching STEM/Chemistry
* B.S., Chemistry
* Certified Teacher, Maryland
* Trained in Restorative Practices, Crisis Intervention, and Lean Six/Six Sigma
* Trained in several technological resources including MS Office Suite, Google Suite, Zoom, Quizlet, Kahoot!, Quizziz
Do you have a standard pricing system for your lessons? If so, please share the details here.
Most students meet with me once or twice a week. I accept all forms of payment. Most clients pay on a monthly basis. My pricing schedule is as follows:
$75 for "ad-hoc" tutoring sessions (session-to-session basis, as needed)
$73 per session for 1 month of tutoring (month-to-month basis, as needed)
$70 per session for 6 consecutive months of tutoring
$65 per session for 12 consecutive months of tutoring
How did you get started teaching?
I got laid off from my job as a chemist when a larger company purchased the company I was working for. During the transition, my career counselor helped me realize that, based on my personality, I would have more job satisfaction teaching chemistry than actually being a chemist. I am an extrovert and being a chemist is an introverted job. However, with teaching, I get to interact with people more and use my creativity. So instead of finding another chemistry job, I switched to education. Something that was seemingly negative (getting laid off) turned into a positive and led me to my true calling: teaching.
What types of students have you worked with?
I have worked primarily with middle school and high school students, but I have also taught adults and elementary school-aged students as well.
Some of my current clients have ADHD or learning disabilities. I modify my tutoring style to suit their needs.
Describe a recent event you are fond of.
In the midst of recent events (COVID-19), I am grateful for the fact that I was able to move my clients to a completely online tutoring model. I am still able to instruct my students and give them the individual attention that they need, even in this crisis situation.
What advice would you give a student looking to hire a teacher in your area of expertise?
I would recommend that a student talk to the teacher with whom they might be working before signing on to get tutoring from them. Have a list of questions ready before meeting with the teacher. If the teacher is pleasant and able to answer your questions, or at least point you in the right direction, that is a good sign. At the end of the day, go with your gut feeling and select someone with whom you feel the most comfortable.
What questions should students think through before talking to teachers about their needs?
Students should think about the following things:
(1) What are my goals and expectations for tutoring, learning, or academic endeavors in general?
(2) How much effort am I willing to put into this myself, when I am not with my tutor, based on guidance from my tutor?
(3) What motivates me to succeed (i.e. praise, achievement, rewards, money, video games, etc.)?
(4) If an obstacle were to get in the way of my academic success, what would that look like and how would I overcome it?