| Tutor's Name: |
Renee
|
|
| College: |
---University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, Analytical Chemistry, Ph.D. 2008
---College of St. Catherine, St. Paul, MN, Chemistry, BA, 2003 |
|
| Tutoring Experience: |
6 years |
| Location: |
Blaine, MN |
Approximate Travel
Radius in Miles: |
15 |
 |
from zip code
55434 |
|
Availability: |
M-F after 5 and weekends
|
| Subject Areas: |
|
| |
--HS Science: Chemistry; Honors Chemistry
--College Physical/Life Science: Biochemistry; General Chemistry; Quantitative Chemistry
--Exam - HS, Undergrad & Graduate Test Prep: GRE
--AP, SAT Subject Test Prep: AP Chemistry |
|
|
| |
GENERAL EXPERIENCE: I have approximately 6 years experience tutoring in a variety of chemistry situations. I have taught high school students, college general chemistry courses, college upper level courses, and
multicultural students. I enjoy working with many different students and am constantly coming up with new ways to teach material based on feedback from students. In many cases, it is important for a tutor to be able to introduce material in a different way than it is being taught in class. Different people have different ways of learning and I enjoy coming up with the right method for each individual student.
|
|
|
| |
APPROACH TO TUTORING: I find that the largest hurdle to overcome when teaching chemistry is a psychological hurdle. Many students quickly elucidate that the subject can be difficult and can require considerable dedication to the topic. This often leads to abandoning hope of understanding the material completely without putting forth the effort. Unfortunately, chemistry has a reputation for being difficult and highly math driven which leads many students to have a distaste for it before the class even begins.
The easiest way to motivate students is to have a relationship with them on an individual level. I also find it imperative that teachers are versatile enough to teach materials several different ways to students. This is part of the reason I have been extremely successful tutoring students. I have found that many teachers adhere to a particular curriculum and a particular way of teaching it. While this will work for some of the students in the class, it allows others who do not learn effectively by that method to simply fall through the cracks. This problem can be easily rectified by being able to present materials to students in many different ways.
The other thing that I largely try to combat is the idea that teaching is simply doing problems. It is important for students to be able to figure out chemical problems, but it is more important for the student to identify with the problems so they are motivated to learn about them. Realistically you can find chemistry in almost every situation. Chemistry answers questions like why the sky is blue, how ice skating works, and why some liquids don’t mix. I like to bring examples to class in which students can identify with the problems so they will be more motivated to solve them. In some cases, it is feasible to even do mini-experiments in the lecture which allows the students to see the chemistry unfold before them. Additionally, I find it beneficial to incorporate models (usually in power point presentations) so students can visualize molecules, bonds, and interactions.
And finally, being a successful teacher means being motivated yourself so that your positive attitude can “rub off” on the students. While not every student will not turn into a chemistry major, it is still important for every student to leave the class with a positive attitude about the subject. I do believe that it is the responsibility of teachers to change the way students think about difficult topics, and it is a challenge I have been highly successful overcoming. In fact, I was awarded “TA of the year” when I was in graduate school which was 100% based on student nominations. I hold this award in very high regard since at the end of the day, it is all about guiding students in the direction they area heading and not letting difficult subject matter get in their way.
|
|
|
If you
have not already done so, you can begin the process of getting in touch with
this tutor or a different one, by completing a Customer Profile form. |
|
