I have over 10 years of experience tutoring science courses at all levels, from elementary school through college. I started tutoring on a volunteer basis while in college and continued through the completion of my PhD (both as a professional tutor employed by a local university and as a freelance tutor). During all stops along my educational trail I was fortunate to have the opportunity to also teach classes first as a teaching assistant (TA for chemistry and ecology during BS; TA for anatomy and physiology during MS) and finally as an instructor (college chemistry, college anatomy, college physiology) and an adjunct lecturer (PhD level protein course) during my PhD. Each of these experiences has shaped my teaching style in different ways. The most important thing that I've learned is that tutoring sessions are very different from teaching lectures and labs. Because of this, it is not helpful for the student to come and have me blab on and on in another boring lecture. With that in mind ... my goal is to break down tough concepts into everyday language. I try to find an interest the student has and relate it to the subject. The benefit of these sessions is that the students not only come away with a better understanding of the subject but also with a better understanding of how to prepare/study for all courses. One part subject oriented, one part organization. I've found that many times, students need help not because they don't understand the material but just because they haven't found an efficient way to study/remember it.
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