Pete's Interesting Chemistry
About
Work to ensure all students both fully like chemistry, by making it as interesting as possible, and by making sure that all students fully understand why. The thing that sometimes makes chemistry boring is that people feel they must remember things - if you explain reasons, it takes a bit longer, but it staying the the students mind much much longer, and the student can then use the same reason for other things they learn later in chemistry.
Started teahing in 1997, to university students, then went on to teach, English this time, first in Greece, then China, and then went back to chemistry. In all cases the pleasure was in seeing the students understand (chemistry) or be happy they learnt another language (English).
My profiles are on Linkedin as Peter Koronaios (still a chemist) for my work in other things like teaching English and my time travelling.
Highlights
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Frequently asked questions
What is your typical process for working with a new student?
First, check what the student knows so far, what interests him/her, what he/she finds difficult in the subject (chemistry). Then, learn how deep he/she wants to go, to know if things should be explained deeply or in simple terms.
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
My training for chemistry is simply my experience (3 years experience full time) and also my experience in teaching English (6 years). Took a TESOL to teah English, and guided by experienced teachers in my first years teaching chemistry in the US.
Do you have a standard pricing system for your lessons? If so, please share the details here.
Do not have a standard system, but generally would ask about $10-15 for classes to look over lessons already taken (in shool) or about $15 for students wanting to learn sections of chemistry from the start.
How did you get started teaching?
Was offered a job in Raleigh, USA (NCSU University) by someone who understood I could explain things, and found I liked it. Started online teaching this year during the gap when things were closed.
What types of students have you worked with?
Ages from 8 up to adults, mostly SAT and Uniersity levels in the US, or equivalent levels in other countries.
Describe a recent event you are fond of.
Found a student who told me he could not stand chemistry, but said he needed it to get into the university course he wanted. We worked together, found the problems he had with chemistry, and over two months he now call chemistry 'fun'.
What advice would you give a student looking to hire a teacher in your area of expertise?
Don't think because chemistry is a science the character of the student and teacher doesn't matter - make sure you bond with the teacher! Make sure the teaher explains in ways the students want things explained - it's the teacher's job to find ways of explaining the the student can absorb.
What questions should students think through before talking to teachers about their needs?
Think about what the student wants to learn, which lessons (style of teaching) the student enjoys, and if that subject is 'a problem' for the student.