Our College Tutors

Darlene D

Teaching Style

Much of my job includes mentoring new employees. Although I enjoy working with adults, I find it much more interesting to work with younger people. I would like the opportunity to tutor another student who is struggling with math. I have found that most students I have helped just needed some individual attention, and a safe place to ask questions that they would not ask in the classroom setting.

Experience Summary

I have worked in the Computer Science field since 1985 when I first started working for the US Space Program. During that time, I earned my BS and MS degrees, and am currently working on the Doctorate in Business with Applied Computer Science. During the last four years, I have tutored a student in mathematics, ranging from basic Algebra to College Calculus. During that time, the student received all A's. Since this student is moving on to a University out of the area, I will no longer be working with him; therefore I am looking forward to helping other students.

Kristin K

Teaching Style

I enjoy tutoring and working with students. I feel that I am a friendly, patient, and calm tutor. I put students at ease, help them to feel comfortable, and let them know they can ask questions. I can explain things in an informal, easy-to-understand manner, which is especially helpful for students who have trouble in school. My flexible teaching style helps me adapt and customize tutoring sessions to each individual student because learning is not one size fits all. I like to find things that the student understands and/or can relate to in order to explain and explore difficult concepts and topics.

Experience Summary

In addition to tutoring during high school, I have worked at an independent local tutoring company and at the local Huntington Learning Center since I've graduated college. As an English major, avid reader, and proficient writer, my specialty is English and SAT Verbal, but I can also tutor in other subjects. I've helped younger students with their homework and studying in subjects such as 8th grade science, 5th grade math (for a student in a Spanish immersion program), middle school and high school history/social studies and many others. Currently, I'm studying SAT math in order to be more adept at tutoring in various mathematics.

Latha L

Teaching Style

I love to teach children mathematics. Many students are afraid of mathematics since they were not given the right approach towards the subject. The key is to be strong in the fundamentals and add a little bit of practice.

Experience Summary

I am a double graduate in science subjects. I myself am a student and I always like to learn. I am always in a teaching environment. Recently I was involved in research in physics. This is helping me to develop a more scientific approach. I have been tutoring for 4 years.

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.

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.

Randy R

Teaching Style

Teaching is truly the joy of my life. I enjoy seeing students discover their gifts, and then watching them develop them. My philosophy of teaching is one of interaction rather than lecture. Students learn more effectively when they are partners in the learning experience. Reading comprehension and writing skills are both areas where students must feel a sense of ownership in learning. Also, technology has provided a unique platform for helping students feel empowered, and they are better able to take an active role. Teaching has evolved over the past thirty years from a passive experience on the part of the student to an active one. I am happy to be a teacher during a progressive age.

Experience Summary

I have a broad background as an educator. My years in the classroom as both an English teacher and an assistant principal have given me a unique perspective in both curriculum and the needs of the individual student. Following my public school years, I have taught freshman English composition at a local community college as well as served as a tutor to middle and high school students. I have enjoyed guiding students in improving their writing and analytical skills. I am also excited by the advantages of using the Internet as a teaching tool to a generation of technology-savvy students.

Hoai H

Teaching Style

In my experience I have discovered that it is better for the student, whether he or she is at elementary or university level, to come up to his or her own conclusions and answers. My style of teaching does not involve doing the work for the student, rather I like to say that I provide the necessary information and aid to point the student in the right direction. This in some cases can take a lot of time and patience, but in the end one learns better when he or she does things himself instead of someone doing it for him. I also believe that one of the most important things to do initially when teaching new students is to create a friendly environment, where the student feels at ease with asking absolutely any question pertaining to the coursework. A student will not listen to a tutor who he or she cannot speak to on a friendly level or respect. I guess to boil everything down, my approach to teaching is simple, treat every student as an individual mind and person who has the possible capacity to grasp any thing he or she is trying to learn or accomplish.

Experience Summary

My time at UIC has given my many skills and experiences that make me a good candidate for your tutoring services. Being a former engineering student and ultimately switching over to and graduating with a degree in English, I feel that I have a wide range of attributes and experience in coursework to provide to your company. In addition, during my sophomore year I began working with the Boys and Girls Club of Chicago where I was a mentor/tutor for a group of students at the Frazier Elementary School on the west side of Chicago. The Frazier Boys and Girls Club taught me the patience it takes when it comes to teaching and tutoring young children. This position lasted three years and I'd like to believe that through my time with these children, I instilled the importance of education not only in school work and grades, but personal knowledge and intelligence. I have also worked for a semester at the UIC Writing Center where I was a writing tutor for students needing assistance with paperwork in a wide range of subjects from Science to English to grad school applicants.

Robert R

Teaching Style

I’ve always been interested in the application of math and science to the solution of real world problems. This led me to a very satisfying career in engineering. Therefore my approach to teaching is very application oriented. I like to relate the subject to problems that the students will encounter in real life situations. I've generally only worked with older students; high school or college age or older mature adults who have returned to school to get advance training or learn a new trade.

Experience Summary

I’ve always been interested in math and science; especially in their application to solving real world problems. This led me to a very satisfying career in engineering. I have a BS in electrical engineering from General Motors Institute (now Kettering University) and an MS in electrical engineering from Marquette University. I am a registered professional engineer in Illinois. I have over 30 years of experience in the application, development, and sales/field support of electrical/electronic controls for industrial, aerospace, and automotive applications. I’m currently doing consulting work at Hamilton-Sundstrand, Delta Power Company, and MTE Hydraulics in Rockford. I also have college teaching and industrial training experience. I have taught several courses at Rock Valley College in Electronic Technology, mathematics, and in the Continuing Education area. I’ve done industrial technical training for Sundstrand, Barber Colman, and others. I’ve also taught math courses at Rasmussen College and Ellis College (online course). I’ve also been certified as an adjunct instructor for Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University for math and physics courses. I've tutored my own sons in home study programs. I'm currently tutoring a home schooled student in math using Saxon Math. I hope to do more teaching/tutoring in the future as I transition into retirement.