Personal Tutor
About
My goal as a tutor is not to be needed. I am fascinated that everyone has a hungry brain. Whether or not the student realizes how hungry his/her/their brain is, I strive to feed that brain- not just with information, but also with the tools so they can continue to feed their own brains when my time comes to an end.
My name is Sarah, and I am a former public school teacher. Most recently, I was teaching math classes at the middle school level. I have also had experience in music education, early childhood education, and exceptional education. I also have tutored many other subjects because I focus on the brain alongside the material.
The reason I left the public schools had zero reason to do with the students or the subject. It had more to do with the system- a system that is failing. I believe that everyone (not just kids) need and deserve love and attention in order to learn to their best abilities. It is our responsibility as adults (not just parents) to step up and help make people believe in themselves. Doing that in a room of 30 students makes that incredibly difficult, not to mention all the added administrative duties and state standards that continually climb while our achievement gap continues to stretch and widen.
While there are many more reasons that contributed to my resignation, those same reasons also fueled my inspiration for starting my own educational career path. Your student (even if it is you) deserves the care and attention to help achieve personal success. And that does not stop at getting the passing grade. It stops at the student feeling confident and empowered that they could do it again, with minimal help from a tutor.
I am not licensed in every subject that I am willing to tutor. I am licensed in music and mathematics. I have tutored chemistry before, and while I am not licensed for public schools as an exceptional educator, I am extremely passionate, can advocate, and will be compassionate and understanding toward all students. Remember, my goal is to not be needed anymore, and I'll be equipped to give your student the tools needed to be successful.
I enjoy seeing someone feel more confident with something they had little confidence with before.
Highlights
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Frequently asked questions
What is your typical process for working with a new student?
First, I want to get to know the student as a person. We will chat about the subject, their perception of why I am needed, and then different ways the student learns and what teachers they like/dislike to help give me a better understanding of what the student needs from a teacher emotionally. Then, if it hasn't already been covered in our conversation, I will get caught up in what the student is learning/intends to learn. The first session and each session after will end with a goal and suggested practice to continue to progress until the next time we meet.
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
My bachelors degree is in music education (BM), and I have a masters in the art of teaching (MAT). I have a mentorship with a teenager, and I am the mother of a toddler.
Do you have a standard pricing system for your lessons? If so, please share the details here.
Subjects I am licensed in: $30/hr
Subjects I am not licensed in: $20/hr
*If multiple subjects are needed, hourly rates can be flexible on a case by case basis.
How did you get started teaching?
From the time I was a student in middle school, I knew I wanted to become a teacher. I want to help the world be a better place by helping educate kids on how the physical world works.
What types of students have you worked with?
Human students.
What advice would you give a student looking to hire a teacher in your area of expertise?
Find a teacher/tutor who will work WITH you- not for you, not against you, not at you. Hopefully your tutor will ask you questions instead of just relaying the same information that may have come from a textbook, website, or even another teacher.
What questions should students think through before talking to teachers about their needs?
Have I tried my best so far? (It's okay if that answer is no.)
What steps have I already taken so far?
Do I know of something that could potentially help me?
Have I tried to do something like this before? (in the subject, not tutoring in general)
Do I think my brain gets bored and checks out when working, or do I think that my brain just can't understand it?
Do I need a lot of help or a little help?
All these questions help me do my job better and efficiently. In return, all these questions will help you learn the topic better.