After teaching for two years in college (while I was earning my Master's Degree), I worked in the computer industry for almost 30 years before deciding to move into the education field where I received my Single-Subject Teaching Credential in Math. During my computer years, I worked as an individual contributor, manager, and then Director. Those years gave me wide exposure to people with different skill levels and learning styles. My employees and co-workers always saw the inner teacher in me, and knew that someday I would return to teaching.
A former college student of mine referred to me in an issue of the school's alumni magazine by saying, "He rendered into words what was at first incomprehensible". This is what I believe a teacher does. Finds the proper words to "make the bulb light up". I have a keen understanding of where math students get "stuck" and I know how to render the words that will get them "unstuck".
My life experiences also provide me with the ability to show how areas of math relate to the real world, making the mathematics "come to life".
As a tutor, the first order of business is assess which topics in math are the most problematic for the student. This can be accomplished anecdotally or with a short diagnostic quiz. Lessons are tailored to sharpen the students skills in the weak areas and tuned to the student's learning style. During our sessions, I can reteach the areas in which the student has trouble, and help them with their homework assignments, but not DO their homework.
Students with pets in the house are no problem. In fact, the more, the merrier. Just don't let your pet eat your homework!
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