Farah
Certified Tutor
I am a recent graduate of Barnard College of Columbia University with a degree in Biological Sciences and a love for writing. Over the last three years, I have tutored both large and small groups of students in biology through various different college programs. As a Supplemental Instruction Leader for introductory biology course as well as genetics courses, I have led tutorial sessions amenable to students with various educational backgrounds and skill levels. As an Academic Success and Enrichment Program (ASEP) biology teacher's assistant in the summer and school year, I tutored underprivileged incoming first years by hosting weekly sessions as well as aided them with lab work. Through these programs, I have developed various techniques and tools that effectively allows students from all kinds of backgrounds to master course material. I created my own worksheets, fun activities and games that encourage students to think outside the box instead of simply relying on memory. In addition, as an aspiring writer and coverage intern for various production companies, I have a lot of experience reading and editing written material.
I believe that q & a sessions are outdated and a banal approach to actually getting through to a student. Instead, I believe it is the duty of a tutor to inspire his/her tutees with creative study ideas and helpful organizational skills that they will be able to implement on their own outside the tutorial session. I also believe that as a tutor it is my duty to not only make sure my tutees have mastered their material, but also to incite confidence in them. School work, tests, and life in general can become overbearing and success may seem impossible. As a tutor, I am here to tell offer you a helping hand and remind you that there is a light at the end of the tunnel!
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Undergraduate Degree: Barnard College of Columbia University - Bachelors, Biological Sciences
- 坐Verbal: 710
- 坐Writing: 750
writing, reading, watching TV and films
- Biology
- College Biology
- College English
- College Essays
- English
- Essay Editing
- High School Biology
- High School English
- Homework Support
- HSPT Prep
- ISEE Prep
- ISEE- Upper Level
- Life Sciences
- Other
- REGENTS Prep
- 坐Reading
- 坐Subject Test in Biology E/M
- 坐Subject Tests Prep
- 坐Writing and Language
- 科学
- SHSAT Prep
- Study Skills
- Study Skills and Organization
- Summer
- Writing
What is your teaching philosophy?
Because I believe that every student is unique in his or her learning process, I make an effort to shape my approach to the study material in a way that is most effective and helpful for a particular student. A tutor should be responsible for not only making sure students master material, but also for inciting confidence in students.
What might you do in a typical first session with a student?
In a typical first session, I would make the student feel comfortable with this new medium of studying. Then, I would ask them what they expect from me, and I'd tell them what I expect in return. Once we lay out the foundation of this relationship, we would proceed with the tutorial.
How can you help a student become an independent learner?
I help students become independent learners by guiding them to the correct answer through a method called redirecting. Redirecting questions involves taking a question and breaking it down into smaller, less intimidating ones. Instead of hosting a simple q & a session, I believe this method builds students' self-confidence and allows them to effectively retain material.
How would you help a student stay motivated?
I help students stay motivated through my positive outlook. It is never too late to improve, and failure is only temporary!
If a student has difficulty learning a skill or concept, what would you do?
First, I would try to identify what it is exactly that the student finds difficult. Second, I would ask them to explain the skill/concept to me as best as they could. Third, I would try to draw a parallel between the troublesome concept/skill and another one that they have already mastered. Through this comparison, we could begin breaking down the skill/concept to a level the student could understand.
How do you help students who are struggling with reading comprehension?
I help these students by going over a few passages and questions with them to assess their skill level. Next, I will target the types of questions they struggle with by practicing helpful techniques.
What strategies have you found to be most successful when you start to work with a student?
I find it most helpful to lay out the foundation of the tutor-tutee partnership by giving the student an overview of what they should expect from me and vice versa.
How would you help a student get excited/engaged with a subject that they are struggling in?
I would relate the material to the real world, but I would have them make the connection themselves! This way the student can get an actual visual of why what they are studying is important.