Jamie: Hinsdale tutor
Certified Tutor
I am a Penn State Graduate (B.S.) and am currently a student at Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Jefferson University. My goal as a tutor is to help make the subjects I love approachable to other students, and to teach the study techniques that have served me well in school. I have tutored people in Biology, Physiology, general and Organic Chemistry, Biochemistry, Writing proficiency, and Physics. I also teach SHSAT prep to 7th graders. I am qualified to teach strategy and content for the SAT and MCAT, as well as high school Science, Writing, and Math classes. My greatest strength as a tutor is my ability to simplify abstract concepts using analogies and real-life comparisons so that anybody can learn them. Showing students how their studies relate to the rest of the world is the best way to create long term interest and understanding. My main focus is typically "teaching toward the test," as making sure my students get the grades they need is always the priority.
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Undergraduate Degree: Penn State University - Bachelor of Science, Pre Medical Medical Program
Graduate Degree: Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Jefferson University - Doctor of Medicine, MD Program
- SAT Composite (1600 scale): 1550
- SAT Math: 780
- SAT Verbal: 730
- SAT Writing: 760
Boxing, theater, medicine, the outdoors
- 10th Grade Writing
- Algebra
- Biochemistry
- Biology
- Chemistry
- College Biology
- College Chemistry
- College English
- College Essays
- MCAT Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills
- English
- Essay Editing
- High School Biology
- High School Chemistry
- High School English
- High School Writing
- Life Sciences
- Math
- MCAT Biological and Biochemical Foundations of Living Systems
- MCAT Chemical and Physical Foundations of Biological Systems
- MCAT Verbal Reasoning
- Microbiology
- Middle School Science
- Organic Chemistry
- Other
- Physical Science
- Physiology
- Pre-Algebra
- Psychology
- Public Speaking
- REGENTS Prep
- SAT Prep
- SAT Math
- SAT Mathematics
- SAT Reading
- SAT Subject Test in Mathematics Level 2
- SAT Subject Tests Prep
- SAT Writing and Language
- Science
- SHSAT Prep
- Social Sciences
- Study Skills
- Study Skills and Organization
- Summer
- Test Prep
- Writing
What might you do in a typical first session with a student?
I first assess the student's needs, then work to convey understanding of the material, and finish by practicing what we've gone over and discussing strategies for exams/homework in the future.
How can you help a student become an independent learner?
I usually have students make study guides while I teach, and show the students how I condense information from lectures and textbooks into notes.
How would you help a student stay motivated?
I always keep the focus of a session positive and goal-oriented, using short-term achievement of small goals as a lead-in to long-term achievement of larger goals.
How would you help a student get excited/engaged with a subject that they are struggling in?
I love drawing parallels to entertaining applications. My favorite examples of this are using the TV show "Breaking Bad" to teach organic chemistry or "The Walking Dead" to teach about infectious disease.
What techniques would you use to be sure that a student understands the material?
I find that short, timed practice tests are a good gauge of understanding.
What types of materials do you typically use during a tutoring session?
I like to show students that Google can answer nearly all their questions without my help, but I also have a number of textbooks and self-written practice problems at my disposal.