Our Elementary Tutors

Joanne J

Teaching Style

My teaching style is student centered and hands-on. I try to get students to recreate what scientists really do in the lab to discover and find solutions to problems, so a lot of time is spent in the lab and collaborating. I also incorporate data analysis in the lab experiences, so a lot of my labs require that students collect and share data, and base their conclusions to a problem on the data, and not a book answer. I think this is the reason why I had so many science fair winners at the middle school level. Often my parents where I amazed at what I could get their kids to create in terms of lab reports.

Experience Summary

I have been teaching for about 14 years. I discovered teaching while I was doing volunteer work bringing science to elementary school children in the inner cities of Philadelphia. I was hooked. I had so much fun and the fact that I could get paid for it was secondary but a bonus. I started out as a middle school teacher and I have been quite successful with them at science fair competitions. One year, 6 of my sixth graders took 6 of the 7 places in city fair. My eighth graders won first place 2 years in a row. One student went on to state competition (he won 2nd place in a category higher than his grade level), and another was awarded and honored at a Spectroscopy Society dinner. I am presently teaching high school Chemistry and General Science, and I love what I do.

Melissa Rose M

Teaching Style

I want to teach students about themselves, others, and the world around them through literature and learning experiences. All information is presented in ways that all students can relate and understand core concepts to be successful in the classroom and in life. The most important achievement in my teaching career is for my students to evaluate information, discover topics they are passionate about, and realize they have a voice and can make a difference by becoming life long learners.

Experience Summary

Education is my life. From a very young age, I loved school and learning. It all started with my brother and his learning disability. I tutored him all throughout his academic career. In college I tutored elementary students through the CARE program. I then decided to be an English Education major and have been teaching ever since. Currently, I am finishing my graduate work at East Carolina University and working on the addition of TESL on to my teaching license. As a lifelong learner, I understand the importance of education and on researching the best methods of teaching to all students.

Ashley A

Teaching Style

I believe every student is different and has his or her own way of learning. That’s why one of the most important things in being a tutor is the capability to listen to your students and understand their needs. Another fundamental quality in tutoring is the ability to make it fun and interesting for the student by developing a rapport with them. If the students aren’t comfortable or aren’t enjoying what they are learning, then there is no interest in retaining and applying the information. I am also a firm believer in using the Socratic Method to help students learn. I especially like asking students to explain how they came to their conclusion. I believe this forces them to understand the fundamentals surrounding the answer rather than giving a memorized response. This, in turn, leads to the development of critical thought which will benefit the student in all subject matters. I am also a firm believer in using the Socratic Method to help students learn. I especially like asking students to explain how they came to their conclusion. I believe this forces them to understand the fundamentals surrounding the answer rather than giving a memorized response. This, in turn, leads to the development of critical thought which will benefit the student in all subject matters.

Experience Summary

Ever since I was a child I loved to learn. I would read anything I could get my hands on to discover more about the interesting world we live in. My love for learning earned me a full scholarship to the University of Florida where I graduated with a BA in Economics. While at UF, I mastered my mathematical skills and critical thinking but it wasn't until I was working for an economist that I truly learned to write professionally and concisely. Today, I have become a well rounded individual who has never lost their love for learning. The only thing that has changed is that now I enjoy helping others love to learn through tutoring. Throughout my life I have tutored my family and friends but it wasn’t until recently that I began tutoring professionally. I have experience tutoring math, reading comprehension, science and economics. However, I am confident that I am capable of tutoring: writing, history, social sciences, sciences-(elementary, middle, astronomy, biology), economics, and psychology. I also have some experience with SAT Test prep.

Saravana S

Teaching Style

While teaching, I constantly seek input from my students. I always try to make them feel comfortable in class, and to let them know that they are the key to the success of the class. I try to encourage them to participate very often, and welcome all their questions and comments. I usually have my students work in groups to discuss problems. I use small groups (of 3 people) because they take the least time to organize, and they are the easiest to adjust to for those who always work on their own. I also encourage them to get together to do math problems outside the classroom.

Experience Summary

I worked as a teaching assistant in Organic Chemistry and General Chemistry courses while I worked toward my own master’s degree at the University of South Dakota. This experience gave me the opportunity to transfer from online tutoring to classroom teaching and individual tutoring. The total experience has educated me with the ability to handle students based on their own style and teach them the subject in creative way.

Mark M

Teaching Style

I love tutoring. It allows me to see the result of my work. When a student comes to me, I try to see what is wanted of me, then I try to find student’s weak points in terms of learning and subject matter and to understand what kind of learner he or she is. Overall, I tend to analyze a person in a way that will allow me to help him, to heal his injury by filling his knowledge gap. I believe that the most efficient learning happens when a student himself has a strong desire to gain knowledge. I believe that the key to a successful tutoring work lies in finding a right approach to a student's learning issues and provoking in this student that important desire to learn.

Experience Summary

My tutoring experience started in High School, where I tutored privately mathematics and physics. By the time I got into college, tutoring became my passion. I started tutoring general chemistry during my sophomore year after I was able to gain a profound understanding of the subject. Later on I also started tutoring Biology, Physics and Organic Chemistry. I have also worked in the SEEK Department of Hunter College, where I had to tutor these sciences for students with special educational needs, organize science workshops and teach freshman orientation seminars. There is nothing I have so far experienced as rewarding as seeing the progress and the result of one’s own work – especially when this work influences and helps lives of other human beings.

Ronald R

Teaching Style

I enjoy sharing my education and experience as well as figuring out how each individual student learns and how to adapt my style to fit their needs. I am easy going but very patient but persistent in getting the understanding across. I have worked with and tutored all types from high school dropouts to Doctoral Candidates.

Experience Summary

I have a very strong background in Math, Economics, Accounting, Chemistry, and Environmental Science as well as extensive experience in writing, Document Preparation, Quality control and Statistics. I have been a Teacher for over ten years and have been working as a math tutor for the past year.

Nicole N

Teaching Style

Being a tutor allows one to reach out and find the most personal and effective way to connect and instruct a student. My exposure to the many learning styles of students has taught me the importance of first understanding the student's learning style. I also believe it is important for teachers to find motivating factors for students. Lastly, I believe it is the teacher's responsibility to make learning fun for each student. When in combination, these factors create a successful learning environment for students.

Experience Summary

I have been working with children of all ages, from diverse backgrounds, and in a variety of environments for many years. I have been a camp counselor, swim instructor, piano teacher, and religious education teacher. I currently have been substitute teaching in grades K-12. My bachelor’s degree in English with a minor in Communication studies in addition to my current graduate work has allowed me a strong command of the English language. I am most confident teaching reading, writing, and other areas of language arts. My vast array of experiences has also allowed me comfort in teaching the basics of mathematics, science, and the arts.

Shelly S

Teaching Style

Because science is a "hands-on" subject, I feel it is extremely important to use demonstrations, examples that are relevant to every-day life, experiments and anything else that will help students understand the world around them. I have been told that I have an "out-of-the-box" approach to learning, but have found it to be successful with the majority of students. Classroom discussions are utilized more often then lectures, because when a student plays an active role in their education, they learn more.

Experience Summary

Over the past 12 years, I have worked in both the private and public sectors of the education community. I have taught grades 7-12 in all areas of science. I have also been the director of a learning center, where I started as a tutor. The years of experience have taught me a great deal about children of all ages and abilities. With each new year, I learn something new about myself and my style.