About
About Me:
I possess two Bachelor's Degrees (from Grinnell College and Virginia Commonwealth University) and a Master in Public Health from Columbia University. This diverse educational experience has enabled me to become proficient in several subjects. In addition, I have a long history of teaching and tutoring. I earned my CELTA (Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages), and I have taught English to middle and high school students in China. I also have experience explaining the process of developing a research topic and finding reputable sources. I have served as a teaching assistant in college level chemistry and graduate level environmental science courses. Finally, I have served as a freelance tutor for over 1 year.
My Tutoring Philosophy:
I break down problems or tasks into easily achievable steps, and then help the student understand how each step contributes to the solution of the problem or task. I don't believe in shortcuts (such as omitting steps like addition or subtraction in the explanation of a math problem); instead, I write everything out for each step and guide the student through it. I believe this builds confidence. In addition, I use comparisons to everyday phenomena, physical representations of science concepts, or any other item that will help a student understand a difficult concept. It would be my pleasure to help you succeed!
I really enjoy seeing students succeed. It's a great feeling when they realize they are able to master the concept or question that was previously giving them trouble. I also enjoy building confidence in students, especially those that believe they are bad at math or science.
Highlights
Reviews
Sophia C.
Junko N.
Lei M.
Frequently asked questions
What is your typical process for working with a new student?
I first sit down with the student and determine exactly what type of problem they are having with the material (i.e., not understanding how to do a math problem, or not understanding a concept). It is fine if there are many concepts the student does not understand. I then use foundational concepts that the student does understand to slowly create a scaffold to help the student understand new material with my help.
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
I possess a CELTA certificate (Certificate of Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages), and I have served as a teaching assistant in college level chemistry courses and a graduate teaching assistant in a graduate level environmental science course. I also have a long history of informally tutoring my peers and friends. I possess two Bachelor's Degrees (a B.A. from Grinnell College and a B.S. from Virginia Commonwealth University), and a Master in Public Health from Columbia University.
Do you have a standard pricing system for your lessons? If so, please share the details here.
My price is a flat $25 per hour.
How did you get started teaching?
I began teaching through a Grinnell College Fellowship in Nanjing, China. I taught English to Chinese middle and high schoolers. Although I really enjoyed the experience, it was difficult to help my students one-on-one due to the sheer number of students in each class. This experience piqued my interest in tutoring, which allows me to focus on each student's individual needs and talents. I then began tutoring classmates informally; as a teaching assistant, I held office hours so that I could help students individually.
What types of students have you worked with?
I have worked with students who are learning English as a second language, middle and high school students (ages 12-18), college students, and graduate level students.
What advice would you give a student looking to hire a teacher in your area of expertise?
I would advise the student to look for someone who has expertise in both learning the subject (as a student in a classroom) and tutoring in the subject. In addition, look for reviews of the tutor from past students.
What questions should students think through before talking to teachers about their needs?
1. The most important question students need to answer is "Are you ready to put in the hard work needed to learn?". If a student isn't ready to pay attention during a tutoring session, that student won't be able to understand explanations of the subject matter.
2. What concepts do you understand? The concepts that you have already mastered can serve as a foundation for those you don't understand.
3. Can you point to specific concepts/assignments/homework/lectures that you don't understand? Don't be afraid of showing your tutor a bunch of textbook chapters or homework that you don't understand--the tutor needs to know what you do and don't know.
4. What do you consider your strengths? It's important to remember that not understanding something doesn't make you dumb. Everyone has strengths and talents!