My first actual experience in tutoring wasn’t even a formal tutoring session. I didn’t really think of it as tutoring until the next day when I had time to reflect on it. It started in fall 2003 my first semester at the University of the Virgin Islands. I had gotten back my first exam grade for my college Precalculus course. I got the highest grade in the class and just shrugged it off as another exam complete. But later that evening I was approached by one of my classmates who resided in the same dormitory that didn’t do well on the exam. His words were “I need a tutor; I am not as good in math as you”. I am a person that goes out of my way to help others so I naturally agreed.
We agreed on a schedule for two hours a day everyday that we had class (4 days a week) and for two hours on Saturday. We would meet and I tutored him until we almost got the same grade on the next exam. We revisited and refined his algebraic skills, solving equations for variables. He was able to sharpen his skills and recognition in proper execution of order of operation concepts. We analyzed graphs (types, behavior, common terms), tackled the concepts, and applied them to real problems until he was able to take the final exam and excelled on it with very little previous tutoring sessions from me. This class was the first of many math classes that I tutored my friend in. College Trigonometry, Integral Calculus, and General Physics were some of the other courses I tutored.
I have also tutored students in the elementary school stage of their academic career. My neighbor’s son was in the 3rd grade at the time and was struggling with his multiplication, long division, and “money math” concepts. I accepted the task of helping him to improve in these areas. My method for younger students in general is to break down math into its simplest form and to bring problems and concepts into real life situations. These situations of course are applicable to the student depending on their age and what stage in life they reside. I enjoyed helping this young man; he was very respectful and cooperative throughout the lessons.
I love tutoring, but in general I love helping people. In life, one may need help or assistance in several things they do. I look forward to continuing to help students in the best way I can.
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