Our Tutors In Missouri

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.

Tony T

Teaching Style

My teaching style is similar to the management style I employed as an editor. I prefer to be a coach rather than a top-down administrator. I urge my students to not accept mediocrity and instead strive for excellence in all they do. My goal is to make them better writers and better people with a sense of ethics and responsibility to themselves and society. I preach that good writing comes from hard work and research and a mastery of the English language, which I also encourage them to strive for.

Experience Summary

After several years as a journalist, writer and editor, I had the opportunity in 2001 to teach writing courses at Orange Coast College. Because teaching had always been of interest to me, I took the offer and have enjoyed it ever since. Teaching seems to fit me well. My students tell me all the time how I'm the best teacher they've ever had, and my student evaluations support that. It is so fulfilling to me to see my students go on and succeed in life, sometimes changing courses and pursuing a career in writing because of me. I don't teach so much for the money but for the enjoyment I receive in educating young minds. Other experiences include being an English literacy tutor at the Huntington Beach library, teaching ESL learners how to read in English to their American born children. Another very fulfilling role.

Kim K

Teaching Style

My teaching approach begins with the idea that economics is a way of thinking. My primary objective is to provide students with a set of tools that helps them attain academic success and growth, to build and expand their knowledge and critical thinking skills, and to develop as individuals. My approach encourages students to "learn by doing" through classroom activities, visual guides, interactive lessons, real world application and hypothetical situations. I also incorporate active learning through a lecture style that encourages student discussion. A good instructor motivates students to want to learn and retain the material. Stellar students benefit when instructors challenge them to move towards higher level applications of the material. Struggling students need someone who can see beyond their mistake and into their thought process. I strive to convince students they are developing valuable skills for their lives by regularly connecting the material to their everyday lives. My teaching techniques have improved with each experience I have endured. I continue to look for new ideas and technologies that can improve my teaching effectiveness. In the end, I want to share my passion for economics and learning, leaving them excited about using the skills in their own lives. My goal is to meet students where they are and take them where they need to go.

Experience Summary

I have been a passionate tutor since my high school years. I continued tutoring in undergraduate and graduate school in subject areas from chemistry to calculus. My strengths are being able to communicate concepts clearly and in a way students can relate to.

Brittin B

Teaching Style

Briefly: high energy. I enjoy being in front of a class presenting new information to students. Personally, I have had a handful of great teachers and would like to be that type of teacher for someone else. I enjoy being able to answer questions and motivate others. Most of my experience has been in a group setting, but I am just as comfortable one-on-one. I get the most out of applying concepts that seem obtuse to a world that we see every day.

Experience Summary

As a graduate teaching assistant for the Economics Dept. at USF, I led structured help sessions for the students twice each week. I completed my Master of Arts in Economics, a program that was very math-intensive, in December 2008 and am currently instructing classes at Hillsborough Community College. Through high-school and college, I have worked as a private tutor in the subjects of mathematics and economics.

Katherine K

Teaching Style

Throughout my teaching experience I have encountered students of all ages and abilities, from high school students with learning differences to adult learners of ESL. I believe each student is unique and brings their own set of experiences and strengths to the material to be learned, necessitating an adaptable teaching style. I am experienced in the communicative approach and believe each students learns best through discovery and by utilizing their particular intelligence. I am patient, relaxed and treat each student with respect. I think students learn best when they are having fun and have a trusting relationship with their teacher.

Experience Summary

While working towards my bachelors degree in English (with a minor in Political Science), I worked as a substitute teacher in the public school system for a year and a half, in order to ascertain my affinity for many different levels and subjects. My writing and grammatical skills are excellent; in 2004 I was awarded First Place in Undergraduate Writing at the University of North Florida. My first professional teaching experience complemented my areas of expertise perfectly: I taught English as a Foreign Language to business professionals in Argentina for six months, using the communicative approach. During this time I learned much about South American politics and culture, as well as the Spanish language. Upon return I taught English to high school students for one year at a private school for students with learning disabilities and emotional/ behavioral problems. This summer, I have again taught international students at a Berlitz ESL program, ELS Language Center. Throughout the years I have also tutored and worked with students one on one many times, specifically with rudimentary reading and writing.

Karissa K

Teaching Style

I love one-on-one tutoring because of the complete attention I can pay to the tutee’s specific needs and his or her learning style. My personality is encouraging, positive and patient, and that has served me well in building relationships with repeat tutees at the Writing Center over the past two years. To me, the primary role of a tutor is to explore ideas about the subject in a way that there is not time for in the classroom and also to ask tutees the questions they would not think to ask themselves about their ideas. I can help tutees explore the potential of their ideas and how to own the skills they already possess. My role is also to help the tutee expand his or her knowledge base and tools for future writing through examples, research and discussion.

Experience Summary

As a tutor at the University of Arizona Writing Center, I worked with undergraduate, graduate and international students on all aspects of the writing process. This encompassed higher and lower order concerns including brainstorming, outlining, drafting, formatting, thesis and topic sentence work, grammar and ESL concerns, research methods, and content. My tutees came from all majors including English, History, Business, and the sciences. I worked on everything from rhetorical analyses to technical writing for business to personal statements and research papers. I also spent two semesters in an online tutoring program for high school students to submit drafts of their college admissions essays for commentary. They could then make revisions and resubmit additional drafts for further critiquing. Additionally, as a Magna Cum Laude History graduate with a Political Science minor, I focused on American History and government and developed a passion for those topics I love to impart on others.

Tammy T

Teaching Style

I love teaching in an environment where the student is made to feel comfortable and that their efforts are rewarded and appreciated. I like to provide my students with as many tools as possible to make sure they get the most thorough understanding of a particular concept. Often times I use hands-on materials, one-on-one settings, and technology based instruction. One person at a time helping one student at a time can make the difference.

Experience Summary

I began tutoring before I began teaching. I have always had a passion for seeing students become successful math students. In the last three years I have tutored over 20 students privately in the areas of reading for grades K-5 and in mathematics from kindergarten to Algebra through Trigonometry. In addition to my tutoring experience I have branched into teaching basic math courses at the college level. I feel that my experience working in community based tutoring groups and structured programs are a great asset.

Timothy T

Teaching Style

First I would like to get to know the student and parents, focusing mainly on the student's interests and goals as well as how they feel about the particular subject they will be tutored in. After that I would have the student show me where they currently are in class and what they need help with. Then, depending on the particular circumstances, I would create a plan to get the student caught up and self-sufficient as quickly as possible. Even though fast results are what I hope for, the student would set the pace of the sessions. No topics would be overlooked and they would all receive as much time as the student needs to master them.

Experience Summary

I attended MTSU and received a bachelor’s degree in Biology. After college I worked at a food-microbiology lab in Nashville for a year. I plan to teach science in Africa with the Peace Corps for two years. I am very capable in most areas of math and science. I am also outgoing and easy to get along with.