Teaching Philosophy

Tutoring should help students become more confident learners and test-takers.  Competence in basic skills—multiplication tables, vocabulary, spelling, and editing—makes it easier for students to learn new material in the core subjects.  It is worthwhile to spend time during tutoring sessions on maintaining and refining these skills.  I also work with students on strategies they can keep with them and use in the future.  These strategies include note-taking skills, time management, vocabulary building, and using the internet or an index to answer questions they may have on a subject.  Working through homework problems is an excellent opportunity to teach students about good test-taking habits.  When I catch a student's careless mistake on homework during tutoring, I have him or her examine the problem and determine how to avoid similar errors during exams.  I hope these tools support my students as they excel in their personal and academic endeavors.

If my students are excited about coming to tutoring, they will be more receptive to what I have to say.  I stay flexible and encourage student input throughout the session.  For example, I like to have students come up with their own funny word problems to illustrate new math concepts.  Also, whenever possible, I give my students the option of standing up and working at the white board, something they enjoy that also keeps them focused.  We might even do a quick round of "heads, shoulders, knees, and toes" to get blood moving back into our brains.  Keeping things light helps my students to engage more fully in our tutoring sessions.

Bio

Hailing from Louisiana, Ann attended high school for two years before her perfect AP tests and stellar SAT scores led to the opportunity to attend Simon’s Rock College at the age of 15. At the UW, Ann double-majored in Linguistics and Biochemistry with her sights set on world travel and nursing. In addition to tutoring, she works in the Orthopaedic Trauma unit at Harborview Medical Center and is looking forward to graduating from the UW nursing school in June 2010.  Ann brings contagious enthusiasm and good humor as a tutor and in the many hobbies she enjoys – ultimate frisbee, piano, singing, gardening, knitting, tea, and games with friends. In her own words, Ann says, “If my students are excited about coming to tutoring, they will be more receptive to what I have to say... Keeping things light helps my students engage more fully in our tutoring sessions.”

Subjects: Math, Stats, Biology, Chem, Physics, Reading, Writing, Latin, Study Skills, Test Prep (PSAT/PLAN/SAT/ACT/GRE/GMAT/Praxis/WestB/ ACT Explore/MAT/ISEE/NCLEX)   (K-Adult)

Resumé

Coming soon!