Our Tutors In Maine

Noah N

Teaching Style

I like to break down whatever skill I'm teaching in the simplest form at first. This means explaining the concept of the skill in a way that the student can understand what it is we are trying to do. I also try to use a pictorial representation of the skill if that is needed. After that I'll show them how I work a problem with that particular skill so they can see firsthand what the thought process is and the steps that are needed to use that particular skill whether it is adding fractions or solving equations, etc. Then I'll give the student a problem to do on their own while I guide them through the steps. If they get off on a particular step I'll correct them immediately and get them on the right path. Once I feel they understand what is going on and how to work a problem, I'll give them a problem to do without me watching them and see if they can get the answer right by themselves. Then I'll correct the problem and if they got the answer right, great, and if they got it wrong I'll then analyze which step the student made their mistake on and we'll work to correct it.

Experience Summary

I received my BS degree in Math Education in Spring of 2001 at Florida State University. While at FSU I worked in the Math Help Center for three months. I taught math for two years and decided to choose a different career path in Actuarial Mathematics. I am currently finishing my master's degree at Florida State University. For two years I tutored math at all levels at Sylvan Learning Center in Tallahassee. In that time I learned different things related to presenting the math in a way that can be understood regardless of the level of the student. Mostly I focus on explaining the most important steps of a particular skill and then guiding the student to developing their understanding of that skill.

Joon J

Teaching Style

I am a huge proponent of the dialectic and Socratic methods of teaching, while recognizing the need for the didactic to learn the basic methods of academics. My own experience, as well as my background in Psychology, helps me recognize that learning must be relevant, interesting, and conducted in a highly accepting and supportive environment. I am keenly aware of the sense of inadequacy of students who come to tutoring services (I have been one myself in the past) and make special care to make all my students feel that improvement is possible for anyone. The knowledge and strategies that high performers utilize are not exclusive; anyone can learn with patience and the right tutor!

Experience Summary

I am a current teacher for the Princeton Review for the SAT (soon also for the GRE and GMAT), as well as a former tutor for Huntington Learning Center (SAT). A score of 1400 on the SAT allows me the credibility to teach, while a self-awareness allows me to understand the mechanisms and strategies that have allowed me this success. As a recipient of two bachelor degrees, in Biochemistry and Psychology, I am uniquely positioned to help students on a variety of subjects. My curriculum included Biology, Biochemistry, Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, Physics, Math, and a litany of Psychology courses, including the Psychology of Learning.

Jason J

Teaching Style

I truly enjoy teaching and watching a student’s growth both academically and personally with my assistance. I can not say that I have only one teaching style. The art of teaching is finding out what is the best way for my students to learn. Each and every student has a different way of learning; may it be lecture, demonstration, or question and answer. The great thing about teaching is that there is no ‘right’ or ‘wrong’ way of expressing the material. Many times you have to use multiple methods of teaching to help the students gain a more thorough understanding. Having some professional experience in the Chemistry field is a great tool for both gaining the student’s attention and relating what is done in the classroom to real life scenarios. I gain great satisfaction from helping students obtain the goals they have set.

Experience Summary

I graduated from King's College in Pennsylvania in May of 2002 with my BS in Chemistry. I decided to return to school for another semester to do my student teaching and become certified in secondary education. I spent twelve weeks teaching 10th through 12th grade students in Chemistry and eight weeks teaching Advanced Chemistry. I thoroughly enjoyed my experience and look forward to one day having my own classroom and becoming a teacher and mentor to younger children. After graduating, I decided that I needed to gain some real life experience that I could apply and have students relate to before entering the classroom. So for the past 5 years I have worked in a variety of laboratory settings. Currently I am working as an Analytical Chemist for a Cosmetic / Pharmaceutical company on Long Island. I have tutored a few students over the past two years in Chemistry, Physics, and Math with great success.

Jennifer J

Teaching Style

I enjoy working with a student one-on-one. We know that every child develops on a different learning curve, which is why the tutoring process is so crucial. Working individually with a child can help them overcome some of the frustration and confusion that comes along with learning in a crowded classroom. I have a great amount of patience and understanding to help the child develop his own learning style and guide him to work through the problems at his own pace to ensure that he truly understands the material. Learning is a step by step process and I know that I can guide each child through the steps they need to take to complete any and all challenges they may face, not just in school, but in life.

Experience Summary

I began tutoring algebra when I was in high school for my boss' kids in the back of the restaurant where I worked. I then went on to get my BA in mathematics at La Salle University, with a minor in Education. While in college, I continued tutoring my fellow students in math and chemistry for a peer tutoring program set up by the school. In addition I observed/student taught at various schools in the Philadelphia area. I have knowledge of a wide range of mathematics, my specialty being algebra and calculus. Due to my experience, I am also proficient in English and can assist in research paper writing.

Sharon S

Teaching Style

I love teaching and working with young people of all ages and abilities. It is my belief that all students have the ability to learn, so they can succeed and gain the confidence in their abilities. In order to help children reach their highest potential, I believe that each one should be given personalized and individualized instruction that is based on their given abilities and skills. I am a patient, helpful, and kind person. Over the years, I have become flexible in the way I teach as each child learns differently and deserves the needed respect to help them reach their dreams and goals.

Experience Summary

As a graduate from Briar Cliff College, I have always enjoyed learning and wanting to help others succeed. I have earned a BA degree in Elementary Education, in which I have taught in the classroom for 2 years, but have also taught at a learning center for a total of 5 years. While in college, I participated in the AmeriCorps tutoring program, in which I privately tutored a few students, along with students in a school setting during the day. Recently, I have been privately tutoring a high school student and a kindergartener mainly for math, reading, English, and writing.

Jared J

Teaching Style

I love to tutor and work with students of all ages. Every student has their own learning style that must be found to help the student efficiently and substantially. I want to provide the best education possible by learning about the student and finding the best way to display topics to them. Every student already possesses the potential to succeed in any academic field; they just need great teachers, good study partners, great learning environments, and many learning experiences. I try to present material in a fashion that will hold the students interest and I also like to use visual aids. Learning must be made fun for the student for them to absorb the greatest amount of knowledge that they can!

Experience Summary

Throughout my education I have been driven to achieve academic excellence by applying myself the best that I can. I have obtained a bachelors degree in science with a major in biology and a minor in chemistry; this has given me an outstanding understanding in many areas of mathematics and the sciences. I have also learned research skills and great biological writing skills from my research, laboratory reports, and various other essays during my studies. During the last two years I have tutored students in physics, organic chemistry, biochemistry, immunology, and calculus.

Arthur A

Teaching Style

I try to cultivate a student's curiosity, and then provide the necessary tools for learning. If students are curious and driven to learn, their potential is limitless. My goal is to help students learn through discovery. I am patient, considerate, and respectful of each student.

Experience Summary

While studying for my BA in English (Emphasis in Literature), I worked for two years as a writing tutor at the Hagan Writing Center. Tutoring was offered as a free service for interested students. (For some students, it was required). I tutored students at all levels from pre-College Writing to senior level literature courses. I completed work for my degree at three different colleges and universities in the United States and England, and I feel that the different teaching and learning methods I have seen have prepared me to be a more effective English tutor.

John J

Teaching Style

I am convinced, partly because of my own experiences, that the current educational system best serves the needs of the average student. I also believe that it seldom addresses the needs of those students whose learning style is not a good fit with the one size fits all educational system. This may be for a wide variety of reasons, but the result is that the student is left without the needed skill set to compete and what’s worse, left with the message that they are responsible for "not getting it" and are inferior or stupid in some respect. I nearly flunked junior high pre-algebra, and was a mediocre math student in high school. I eventually managed to teach myself, and have subsequently scored 800 on the math section of the GRE and was one of about 50/15000 to score a perfect 15 on the quantitative section of the medical college admission test (MCAT). What is wrong with this picture? My own take is that we all have different styles of optimal learning, and what’s more, are often hindered by simple roadblocks that only 1:1 teaching can identify and redress. I am very passionate about finding the approach that clicks, and building back the esteem that comes with mastery of the subject material.

Experience Summary

Prior to entering graduate and later medical school, I tutored a variety of subjects in the area of mathematics and science. As a PhD candidate, one of the requirements was to assist in teaching the physiology labs, and as an advanced candidate, was given the opportunity to give lectures in physiology to medical and nursing students. Most recently I have been an unpaid volunteer on the on-line physics forum where advanced high school and college students can go on line for assistance with their homework. Because of my career selection, I have had to take many standardized examinations and am quite adept at these. I believe I can help other aspiring students achieve the higher scores needed for acceptance in programs of their choice.