Our Tutors

Melissa M

Teaching Style

I believe the keys to teaching any student, young or old, are patience and encouragement. I find that when I demonstrate a pleasant, usually fun, and encouraging environment for my students, they tend to thrive. There has not been a more fulfilling experience for me than to effectively teach a child something that they did not initially have the confidence to learn. My goal is to not only teach them the required material, but to also introduce a learning experience that positively impacts their self-perception. If they believe they can learn anything, they will ultimately thrive in other experiences that require self-confidence, patience, and leadership. The bottom line is that I love to teach, because very few experiences grant me this opportunity.

Experience Summary

From January 2007 to December 2010, I had the significant opportunity to teach for Broward County Public Schools in various education settings ranging from Pre-K to 12th Grade. I have worked at the high school level as a Resource Teacher and Exceptional Student Education Support Facilitator creating Individual Education Plans and working with parents, specialists, and district employees to monitor students’ yearly progress. During the course of my studies in Biomedical Engineering, I gained extensive academic knowledge in Math, as well as Technical Report Writing, Essays, and Research Papers. I have been able to guide students in attaining academic success by tutoring them in various subjects such as Reading, Algebra, Geometry, Language Arts, and Science. My life experiences have also allotted me the opportunity to teach non-academic subjects such as Music Education, Musical Theatre, and Dance. I currently work for a nonprofit organization providing public service educational programs set forth by its mission. Tutoring allows me the flexible opportunity to engage in additional community projects and endeavors.

John J

Teaching Style

I enjoy teaching and coaching. Why am I effective? I talk to - not at my pupils. My non-threatening and non-intimidating persona allows me to quickly develop a healthy rapport. By listening to my students' thought processes, I work within their frame of reference and then offer suggestions to guide them to a more appropriate path. Finally, I always encourage and am highly adept at objectively critiquing without offending.

Experience Summary

My professional career began at Kaplan Test Prep in Manhattan. As a Test Prep Specialist, I lectured to hundreds of students the concepts tested and test-taking strategies required for the GMAT, LSAT, GRE & SAT standardized exams. My ability garnered me Instructor of the Year for three consecutive years. In addition, I have private tutored in a variety of subject areas. Even during my MBA studies at Duquesne University, I was active in the school's PACT Tutoring Program, worked as a Mathematics Aid at Schenley High School, and delivered an LSAT training curriculum sponsored by the university's School of Leadership.

Patricia P

Teaching Style

I enjoy helping students who struggle with Mathematics. As a tutor, it is all about being patient and finding the right approach to teach the students. I believe that every student has the capacity to excel in any subject but they must believe in their abilities. Therefore, tutoring is not only teaching the subject but it is also about assuring the student that he will succeed.

Experience Summary

Mathematics was always my favorite subject since elementary school. When I entered college, it made sense to major in mathematics. Thus, I have earned a Bachelor degree in Mathematics. During my college years, I tutored college algebra, pre-algebra, geometry, and pre-calculus to my peers and younger students struggling in math. Since then I have also helped several high school students in their algebra I and II classes, trigonometry, and AP Calculus. Seeing a student improve their grades and knowing that they feel better about themselves and their accomplishments is extremely satisfying.

Yvetot Y

Teaching Style

I am a firm believer in actively teaching with tools and visual aids to facilitate a student’s understanding. I perceive myself as a facilitator rather than an educator. I see my role as someone that can help students develop ways and methods of associating and assimilating concepts and ideas, and develop ways to effectively use them. Given the appropriate support and time I believe all students can and will learn. Though the learning process will be different from student to student, I think that it is my professional responsibility to find the best method to make it happen. I measure my effectiveness by how well a student assimilates and utilizes the knowledge being dispensed.

Experience Summary

My interest in teaching began after two years of providing on-site private tutoring in the schools. The feedback and outpouring of positive reinforcement that I received from the students led me to the classroom. I have taught science for three years in two different Dade County Schools. My years teaching have given me a better focus of the sciences and gifted me with new managerial skills. The planning of weekly lessons, the adjustments of curriculum, along with responding to multivariate behaviors in the classroom have helped to shape the educator that I am today. I now have a much greater understanding of the learning process and the many ways it can be facilitated.

Chi Young C

Teaching Style

I believe all students will learn successfully, given the appropriate tools. I place great emphasis in finding their individual learning styles and their strengths and weaknesses. This helps me build an individualized program to target their specific needs and to enhance their strengths. I like to challenge the students to always reach higher and to learn in a meaningful and enjoyable manner.

Experience Summary

As a reading specialist in New York for the last 4 years and a tutor for 10+ years, I have enjoyed teaching students and leading them to success. Continually retooling myself professionally has kept me motivated to learn new techniques and strategies to help students achieve their goals. Because of my many encounters with struggling learners, I understand the academic and social demands on kids. When frustrations arise in school, specialized tutoring can attend to the children's needs and alleviate their struggles. With proper, targeted instruction, I have helped students succeed, feeling more confident to participate in school lessons and activities. With various high quality literature, non fiction, high interest magazines, manipulatives for word work including developing spelling and decoding skills, I have been teaching students with much success. I have also been trained and certified in the Wilson Reading Program. Using this multisensory, phonics-based program, I have led many non-readers to reading with confidence.

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.

Timothy T

Teaching Style

When I tutor a student, I seek first to understand the student and how he/she thinks. I find it is very important to have good rapport and communication with the student so I understand how he/she views the subject and the difficulties of it. Next I try to make "conceptual bridges" from what they know to what they are having difficulty understanding. This process usually teaches me about seeing the subject from a new point of view. I try to achieve a fine balance between guiding and directing the student’s thoughts on the topic with following the student in their own line of thinking of the subject. The student needs to learn to have confidence in his own thoughts on the subject and in his own ability to master it.

Experience Summary

Over the past four years, I have tutored high school and middle school students in math, algebra, calculus, chemistry, SAT Math, and general study skills. My preference is to tutor math, algebra, calculus, physics, physical science, chemistry, and programming. Math is the subject for which I have the greatest passion. I also participate in the homeschooling of four of my children (13, 11, 8, 6). I have mentored my 13 yr old son in Algebra I & II, Chemistry, Elementary Math, and Middle-school Physical Science, and taught elementary math to my 11, 8, and 6 year olds. Additionally, I read and review history lessons to my kids. I completed my MS in Electrical Engineering in 2006 from The University of Texas at Arlington and my BS in Electrical Engineering and a BA in Philosophy from Rice University. I have recent experience as a student having completed Cellular Biology II at St. Petersburg College in Fall 2011.

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.