I tutor because I understand the difference that good teaching can make in a student's life. If students do well with schoolwork, they feel positive about themselves, and set themselves up for a good future. But if they get bad grades, they may become discouraged, want to drop out, fail to get into a good college, etc. So it is very important that they receive help when they need it.
My approach is to be patient and supportive of the students, and to keep the lessons fast-paced and lively. I focus on giving clear, understandable explanations, and discussing with the students which parts they understand, and which parts confuse them. Each student is different, and the lesson must fit the individual student. In this way, the students feel respected and valued, and their confusion about the subject matter gradually disappears as they learn the information and improve their skills. If desired, I can assign homework, so that lessons are not forgotten between tutoring sessions. In my present work as a tutor, my students have shown quick improvement after just a few tutoring sessions. Often, all they needed was patient, clear explanations with lots of practice at working the math problems, science assignments, etc. When they receive these things, the improvement is quick. Kids want to do well, if given the chance.
Besides having a good university education, I have been a professional scientist. I have a good grasp of the subject matter of math and science, and am well qualified. My math specialties are Algebra I, Algebra II, Geometry, Trigonometry, and Basic Math - fractions, decimals, etc. I have also done a lot of writing in professional settings, and I am prepared to be a big help in English, grammar, composition, expressing yourself well in writing, etc.
I should add that I really stress the fundamentals. If students are clear on the basics, then the higher levels of the subject aren't all that hard. Often the root of the problem is that the student didn't understand the basics in the first place. Once they understand the basics and start doing well, you should see their smiles!
Specific Details:
I have a BA in Zoology from the University of California at Berkeley.
Math Courses: Honors Calculus 1, Honors Calculus 2
Science Courses: Honors Chemistry 1,2,3. Organic Chemistry 1,2.
Honors Physics 1,2,3. Invertebrate Zoology, Vertebrate Zoology,
Physiology, Comparative Anatomy, Embryology, etc.
English Courses: Survey of English Literature, Shakespeare,
The English Novel, The Age of Samuel Johnson, Lyric Poetry,
American Literature, etc.
My past science employment was at Pacific Bio-Marine Laboratories in Los Angeles.
Position: Staff Biologist, Specimen Shipping Supervisor
Duties: Field Collection of Invertebrates and Vertebrates,
Research Projects in Gastropod Reproduction, Fish Population
Sustainability, etc. Supervision of the handling and shipping of
scientific specimens.
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