Greengate School
About
On-line homeschool. I have been homeschooling students in all grades for 15 years. I prefer to develop a coach-learner relationship with students and encourage, motivate, and help them reach their academic goals. By setting their own goals, students develop independence in a self-paced environment . They have the freedom to move through the lessons as quickly or slowly as they need.
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Frequently asked questions
What is your typical process for working with a new student?
Because I have a child-focused approach to learning, I need to know why the student wants maths tutoring. Parents obviously want improved grades, however students sometimes have more specific, short-term goals that need to be met before achieving the long-term goal of better grades. Additionally, self-confidence is usually diminished by the time a student reaches out for assistance, so the student needs to understand that different learning and teaching approaches will facilitate success. Once I establish the best way to keep the interest of the student vis a vis learning needs and goals, we work together to ensure all learning goals are achieved.
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
After tutoring and home schooling kids in all grades and all maths for the past 17 years I consider myself someone who can quickly assess what a student needs and get them up to speed as soon as possible.
It makes a big difference when kids find out that I had a mathematics tutor when I was in 10th grade. That experience also showed me how important it is to help students excel quickly so that they no longer require my tutoring assistance.
Do you have a standard pricing system for your lessons? If so, please share the details here.
US$50 per hour with a 2 hour weekly minimum paid monthly prior to the start of classes. Class times can be re-scheduled with ample notice.
How did you get started teaching?
Years ago, I was living in a small Mexican village and taught English to the elementary school children. I learned that it was fun making kids happy because they were learning.
What types of students have you worked with?
All types - private, public, and home school students, kids who don't speak English, kids in rehab, kids with learning challenges, kids with Aspurger's Syndrome, kids with epilepsy, kids in Canada, Germany, US, and Mexico and, kids who hate school.
Describe a recent event you are fond of.
I will never forget the look on my student's face when he multiplied a 2-digit number by a 2-diigit number for the first time in his life at the age of 19. I love it when students surprise themselves!
What advice would you give a student looking to hire a teacher in your area of expertise?
Ask yourself if you are willing to commit 2 hours per week for a short period of time in order to achieve the skills and knowledge you will use for the rest of your life. Mathematics is a ladder -- if there is a rung missing in your ladder because you missed or didn't understand that lesson -- it is difficult to get to the next step. When students learn that "missing rung" -- all the other steps become easier.
What questions should students think through before talking to teachers about their needs?
How long will this take?
How much homework will I have to do?
Why do I hate mathematics?