Eben
Certified Tutor
While we humans try to understand Nature, I believe, Math is the language we employ to efficiently decode the study (called science) of the wonders of Nature around us. I found this as the major magnet, to begin with, that attracted me to the subject of Mathematics. In addition, the joy of making our young ones understand the subject and positioning them to take advantage of future possibilities such knowledge offers is a priceless fulfillment for me. With these as my basic reasons for being an educator, it has always given me a tremendous satisfaction each time my explanation makes my students understand a math concept, the light lit up in their heads, and their eyes glow with that radiant confirmation of the knowledge they have newly acquired. I guess that is what all true educators live for judging from my experience within a couple of decades during which I have been involved in teaching mathematics.
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Undergraduate Degree: Regents College - Bachelors, Liberal Arts
Graduate Degree: CUNY Brooklyn College - Masters, Math Education
Reading, Tennis, Traveling
- 10th Grade
- 11th Grade Math
- 12th Grade Math
- 5th Grade Math
- 7th Grade Math
- 8th Grade Math
- 9th Grade Math
- ACT Math
- Algebra
- Algebra 2
- CLEP College Mathematics
- College Algebra
- Elementary School Math
- English
- Geometry
- High School English
- Math
- Middle School Math
- REGENTS Prep
- SAT Prep
- SAT Math
- SAT Subject Test in Mathematics Level 1
- SSAT Prep
- SSAT- Middle Level
- SSAT- Upper Level
- Test Prep
What is your teaching philosophy?
For me, teaching is the greatest gift that one can give to others. It helps the student unlock the potentials within, in that moment of understanding.
What might you do in a typical first session with a student?
The first session is usually a period of opportunity to evaluate the depth (both strength and weakness) of understanding in the subject area and to see how to best steer the student's cognitive development.
How can you help a student become an independent learner?
By explaining the rules and the boundaries and encouraging a student to explore and fashion his/her solution through your guiding process (from the first principle) instead of arriving at the answer the teacher's way.
How would you help a student stay motivated?
A student can be motivated by encouragement towards set goals with rewards at the end and the inspiration to reflect on positive imagery and cultivated discipline when things get stuck.
If a student has difficulty learning a skill or concept, what would you do?
Look for the student's passion and break this down to components that mimic the skill you are trying to teach the student.
How do you help students who are struggling with reading comprehension?
Be aware of what they do understand. Identify what they do not understand. Use appropriate strategies to resolve problems in comprehension.
What strategies have you found to be most successful when you start to work with a student?
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Letting them believe in themselves. 2. Assuring them that the subject is actually easy and fun once the concept is understood. 3. Assuring them that am on board now to work as a team with them and that failure is not an option because if they fail, then I too would have failed.
How would you help a student get excited/engaged with a subject that they are struggling in?
Find out what the student is passionate about and break the subject down into components to be delivered in the context of the student's passion.
What techniques would you use to be sure that a student understands the material?
The following questions need to be satisfactorily answered by the student after going through a lesson: What is the topic for today’s lesson? What will important ideas be in today’s lesson? What do you already know about this topic? What can you relate this to? What will you do to remember the key ideas? Is there anything about this topic you don’t understand, or are not clear about?
How do you build a student's confidence in a subject?
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Provide positive feedback to your students when appropriate. 2. Give only genuine praise. If you provide empty praise, they will not feel as motivated to push themselves harder. 3. Set realistic goals for each student, bearing in mind that each student’s ability is unique. 4. Create an open, positive environment for learning. 5. Show enthusiasm for the subject you are teaching and for your students' success.
How do you evaluate a student's needs?
While we cannot enlist a comprehensive rubric that will totally address all student's needs, I think the following specifics must be addressed: 1. Computer skills 2. Learning styles 3. Available resources 4. Learner’s desired outcomes 5. Prior learning experiences
How do you adapt your tutoring to the student's needs?
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Get to know students. 2. Set the stage. 3. Test different teaching styles. 4. Modify your instruction based on learner preferences. 5. Use tiered assignments. 6. Create a classroom with multiple learning environments. 7. Group students by needs and interests. 8. Guide students toward understanding themselves.
What types of materials do you typically use during a tutoring session?
It is very important to reach out to the schoolteacher to have an update of the topics being presently treated in the classroom to help prepare for the materials I will use for my tutoring session. Material to work with will include worksheet with adequate questions to test student's understanding of the session, pen, pencil, calculator, graph papers, etc.