Colin Shields Tutoring
About
I am a college graduate with a degree in Classics and Archaeology. I graduated Summa Cum Laude from the College of Charleston, so I have proven academic excellence. Due to my academic background, I can offer a wide variety of tutoring subjects and in addition to these, I also offer organization and time management tutoring for those struggling with the recent switch to virtual classes. Not only doing I have the academic experience, I also have spent about a year tutoring in one-on-one and group environments. I love teaching and tutoring and greatly enjoying tackling a student's obstacles head-on and watching them grow not only as a student, but also outside of the classroom.
Tutoring and teaching is an extremely rewarding field. One of my greatest passions is the pursuit of knowledge, and I love having the opportunity to guide those who share that passion and kindle it in those who can benefit from learning. Constant learning, adaptation, and evolution is how we move forward as a society, and teachers are at the forefront of this endeavor.
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Frequently asked questions
What is your typical process for working with a new student?
Every student's needs are unique to that individual, and tutoring someone is served best by understanding who the student is as a person. Thus, I like to spend the first meeting a) getting to know the student and what their tutoring needs are and b) creating a tutoring plan specifically tailored to that student that details the subject matter of interest, how many days a week the student wishes to meet, what kind of work will need to be done outside of those sessions, etc.
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
My degree in Classics and Archaeology give me a solid background in language, cultures, history, and the sciences. As mine is a liberal arts degree, I am also a capable critical thinker and analyst. I also received training as a Supplemental Instructor while at the College of Charleston.
Do you have a standard pricing system for your lessons? If so, please share the details here.
My base price is $25/hour. Due to COVID-19, I prefer to keep all my sessions in an online format. I will commute to the student's residence or an agreed-upon public setting, but the hourly rate will go up.
How did you get started teaching?
My first experience was volunteering with the Trident Literacy Association, where I tutored adults seeking their GED.
What types of students have you worked with?
I have worked with adults and college-age students primarily, but I have done some work with middle and high school students as well. Students I have worked with come from a widely diverse range of backgrounds, both academically and culturally.
What advice would you give a student looking to hire a teacher in your area of expertise?
Be wary of teachers or tutors who are afraid to be wrong. A good academic should be able to recognize if they are on shaky ground and should be willing to fact-check themselves! I would also recommend looking for a teacher who is not just familiar with the material you are looking to study, but who is also able to show you how to think critically. Teaching the student's mindset is just as key as teaching standard material.
What questions should students think through before talking to teachers about their needs?
Perhaps the most important question to ask yourself is "how hard am I willing to work for this?" As a tutor, I will give my student my full effort to help them succeed, and the only thing I will ask of them is that they give that same level of effort.