Our Tutors

Malcom M

Teaching Style

I would best describe my teaching style as both effective and efficient. In order to be an effective teacher (or tutor) a relationship of mutual respect and trust must first be established between the teacher and the student. In addition, a student needs to know that the teacher sincerely cares about his or her accomplishments and successes both inside and outside of the classroom. Once these factor have been incorporated, it is then up to the teacher to relay the material and concepts to the student using situations and examples that are both relevant and familiar to the student's life and future career. If all these factors are taken into consideration, every student has the ability to learn the content of any subject area.

Experience Summary

Over the past 5 years I have taught various subjects in the areas of both science and mathematics including integrated science, earth science, physics, algebra (I and II), and geometry. For the past 3 years I have tutored small groups of student in a district funded, 6 week, after school program in an attempt to help students improve their SAT scores in the area of mathematics with all students reporting a significant increase in their test scores. I have also become extremely proficient with emerging technologies such as the TI-83 graphing calculator (and its successive models), teacher website design, and both online grading and lesson-planning software.

Dara D

Teaching Style

I believe in my students and their abilities to learn and synthesize their experiences. My students learn their subjects because I provide a variety of techniques to command their attention. I believe teaching is not just about giving students information but about reaching students who might "get lost" in the system without a guide and friend to help them along.

Experience Summary

I have taught for over ten years in the public school system and learned how to "connect" with students. I have taught physics, chemistry, and mathematics at the high school level, and I have a wide range of teaching experiences in those fields. I have taught AP, honors, and standard classes. Using interesting movies followed by a lab to reinforce the concept is one of the ways I have used to reach students and make a difference in their lives.

Dawn D

Teaching Style

I have a visual and hands on teaching style. I do believe that students learn better by doing labs and seeing demonstrations, not by just hearing lectures. My students thoroughly enjoy my demonstrations and labs. My goal is to do whatever it takes to ensure that my students are working to their maximum potential.

Experience Summary

I have 5 years experience as a Biology, Chemistry, and now, a Physical Science teacher on the high school and middle school levels. I have gained a valuable understanding about the needs of our young people. I believe that all students are capable of learning anything, some just have different learning styles. I have met with different students and tried (quite successfully) to gear my lessons to the needs of all students. In my classes, it is my goal to make sure that every student understands the lessons.

Janette J

Teaching Style

I believe each child in unique, therefore each child has their unique learning style. Therefore, I tend to provide a variety of learning methods. If one method isn't understood, I move on to another one. I think learning should be fun, so I will occasionally play learning games where students feel relaxed while learning. I always provide rewards and incentives to encourage participation and increase self-esteem. One of the most important things I believe children need to succeed is a positive sense of self. When a child feels frustrated or hopeless they are less likely to want to improve. I begin praising at the students current level of acheivement and then continue throughout the entire tutoring process!

Experience Summary

I am currently a tutor for a public school system. I tutor students who are at or below their current grade level. I hold a license in Early Childhood Education- K to 3rd grades. My reading tutoring involves phonemic awareness, sightwords, word attack strategies, comprehension and fluency. When I tutor math I use a variety of math concepts, manipulative, flashcards, worksheets. I am willing to collaborate with teachers to enhance classroom learning and homework skills. I have many years of experience educating children in private Preschool and Kindergarten settings. I have also earned a bachelors degree in Family and Consumer Studies with a concentration in Child Development.

Andrea A

Teaching Style

I have a passion for learning, both as a teacher and a student. As a mother of a blended family of seven children, I am also very well versed in the uniqueness of children. Coupled with my diverse background, experience and training, I tailor my efforts to fit the specific needs of each individual child. I also believe that everyone has a preferred learning style and I work to discover those strengths within my students to ensure greater success. I also make a concerted effort to provide interactive lessons that engage the child's imagination in meaningful ways so that their progress is long-lasting. I believe that mistakes are natural, and that they often offer the most significant learning opportunities. With this in mind, my students and I form a warm working relationship in which we learn from one another. I believe every person is an "expert" in something and it is my goal to uncover that for my students and to foster self-confidence and independence as a learner for life. I am passionate about children and about learning, and I consider it an honor to have the opportunity to make a different in a child's life through education and inspiration.

Experience Summary

I love education and I believe it shows in my training. Having first obtained a BA in Studio Art and Psychology, I then went on to attain a Masters degree in social work. I worked with families and children for close to 10 years in this capacity. Through this, my respect for diversity and its effect on learning was deepened. Over time, my desire to inspire children more directly "on the front line" led me to go into teaching. I achieved my Masters degree in Early Childhood Education and worked with preschoolers, special needs students and as a 2nd and 3rd grade classroom teacher. When the first of my four children were born, the many joyful hours I spent reading to them led to my pursuit of certification as a reading specialist. As my family grew, I worked as a substitute reading teacher, and volunteered as a reading assistant in my local schools, from which I was able to hone my assessment skills as well. In this, I also gained insight into the critical importance of reading across the curriculum. Thus, my focus as a tutor switched to reading over the past two years. I also conduct workshops for preschool parents and teachers on developing prereading skills through play. I have been able to use self-created materials to help parents and teachers work with diverse populations. My writing and editing skills have been extended through 15 years (and ongoing) of at-home work as a medical transcriptionist/editor for the leading pediatric hospital in Boston.

Julie J

Teaching Style

Teaching college students has been very rewarding. I encourage active participation in discussion and groups. Each class is started with a question and answer period about any nutrition issue they might have. Most assignments have an aspect of self discovery so that each student can learn something about their nutrition status. Late work is not allowed and attendance is not taken; rather random "reflection" responses are asked to reward those that attend and to ascertain their understanding of the concepts discussed. Each student can excel when the effort is made.

Experience Summary

As an adjunct faculty member at Brigham Young University Idaho since 1995 (it was then Ricks College), I have taught human nutrition, nutrition and the young child, introduction to foods, nutrition for the culinary arts majors, and various classes for the dietetic technician program. I earned my Dietetics degree in 1985 and have practiced as a Registered Dietitian since then. I have worked in clinical settings including hospitals, long term care, assisted living homes and fitness centers. I am a partner in the Idaho Plate Method LLC business, which created a diabetes education tool sold throughout the United States.

Jessa J

Teaching Style

I teach hands-on with many demonstrations and hands-on activities. I have been told by some of my past students that I made science fun for them and that science used to be their worst subject, but with me as their teacher they found it to be their favorite subject.

Experience Summary

I have been tutoring math and sciences since I have been a senior in college. Most recently I have worked tutoring math and science as a personal tutor in the LA area. I have also taught Biology and Earth sciences at East High School in Salt Lake City, UT for a year, and 2 years at New Community Jewish High School in West Hills, CA teaching anatomy and physiology and Chemistry.

Shannon S

Teaching Style

My teaching style is very adaptive and enthusiastic, stemming from a genuine love of the material. I enjoy getting students excited about science and the endless potentials that may be found within the sciences, looking at the world around them in new and exciting manners. I believe that each person has their own way of learning and understanding material and it is the responsibility of the instructor or tutor to strive to find what works best for each individual student. An efficient and astute teacher continually strives to modify material, to expand their way of thinking and to challenge their methods of instruction to adapt to the ever-changing world around us.

Experience Summary

I have a wide variety of experience and an innate desire to learn more about the world around me. I began my undergraduate degree in Political Science, but after taking a Biology course in California, became rather excited about the sciences. I have worked in a variety of laboratory settings, as well as in the field, applying the science that I have learned to real life situations and truly gaining a better understanding of the dynamic nature of the sciences. This is what I love. From reading the latest National Geographic to listening to Science Friday on NPR, the never-ending potential of science today excites me and certainly makes me a more dynamic, animated instructor.