Experience Summary
I earned my MA degree in Biology from Villanova University in December 1997. For the next two years I earned my living by tutoring students in biology and math as a side business until I landed a research position at Princeton University in 1999. Since then I have been doing laboratory research in the pharmaceutical industry.
My extensive background in Biology has allowed me to learn several aspects in the field that I would not have learned in the classroom.
Although my tutoring was not through official channels, I feel that my experience taught me that each student is different and responds to different types of approaches of learning. For example, some people learn best by remembering acronyms, while others are better at visualization. The job of a good tutor is to figure out which way works best for their student and proceed from there.
Teaching Style
My approach to tutoring is to first make the student feel comfortable and to realize that they are not "stupid" or inferior because they need help. Then I find out specifically where they are having difficulties and concentrate on that area. If they still are having difficulties in that area, I will move on to the next topic so that they don't get frustrated. Once they have obtained some level of confidence, I will revisit the area where they were having difficulties.
I believe in positive feedback, so I will motivate my students through encouraging words and praise, without being patronizing.