Bob
Certified Tutor
In college I wanted to write the "Great American Novel" so my undergraduate degree is in English with a minor in Psychology. Instead I joined the Air Force and flew airplanes for a living, traveled the world, and loved every day of 21 years as an officer! I'm still waiting to write that novel! I obtained a Master's degree in Public Administration--think MBA but for people who work in the government (MPA). I have been teaching as an adjunct faculty for University of Phoenix in their business school since 2004. I love face-to-face time with my students. My current career is with United States Central Command (CENTCOM) so I still have the opportunity to serve my country in a new way, and still get to travel a bit too. I speak a little bit of German having learned some in high school and college and having lived in Frankfurt for four years but I take every chance I get to practice what little I know. I raised three kids all of whom are college graduates, so while I may not have tutoring in my background, I promise you I have thousands of hours at the kitchen table with my kids on my resume!
My opinion is, and I tell each of my undergraduate students in the first week of class, that being able to write effectively is even more important today than it ever was! We meet people through email, and some people I have dealt with for years but have never met in person. So being able to clearly communicate thoughts, ideas, directions, orders, etc. is extremely important. Working for a four-star general and dealing with people at senior governmental levels, effective and accurate communication is critical. I look forward to any opportunity that may come my way to help you succeed, because really that is what it is ultimately all about!
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Undergraduate Degree:Flagler College-St Augustine- Bachelors, English Literature/Psychology
Graduate Degree: Troy State University - Masters, Public Administration
Reading, motorcycle riding, going to festivals and concerts.
- American Literature
- AP Human Geography
- ASVAB Prep
- Business
- CAHSEE English
- CLEP Prep
- CLEP American Government
- CLEP American Literature
- CLEP Analyzing and Interpreting Literature
- CLEP College Composition
- CLEP English Literature
- College Business
- College English
- College Essays
- College Level American Literature
- Comparative Literature
- Conversational German
- Creative Writing
- Essay Editing
- Fiction Writing
- Geography
- German
- German 1
- High School Business
- High School English
- High School Level American Literature
- High School Writing
- Languages
- Literature
- Management
- Middle School Reading
- Middle School Reading Comprehension
- Middle School Writing
- Public Speaking
- Social Studies
- TEAS Prep
- Test Prep
- Writing
What is your teaching philosophy?
I like to use Socratic questioning to probe for understanding. I emphasize higher level thinking as well as logic.
What might you do in a typical first session with a student?
Unless there is a specific agenda stated in advance, I would try to find out what they already know and don't know.
How can you help a student become an independent learner?
I emphasize reading! Reading exercises the brain. And it builds a knowledge base that can be used later.
How would you help a student stay motivated?
By revealing their progress to them over time.
If a student has difficulty learning a skill or concept, what would you do?
If possible, try a different approach. Some people are visual learners; others are auditory learners, etc.
How do you help students who are struggling with reading comprehension?
Spend some time on a small piece talking about the tone, the vocabulary being used, rhetorical tricks being used, etc. Then, move to longer parts.
What strategies have you found to be most successful when you start to work with a student?
Praise works wonders!
How would you help a student get excited/engaged with a subject that they are struggling in?
Building confidence helps them become more excited, or at least less afraid.
What techniques would you use to be sure that a student understands the material?
Socratic questioning. Probing. Asking them to explain in their own words.
How do you build a student's confidence in a subject?
Each small success needs to be recognized and appreciated.
How do you evaluate a student's needs?
Many times they already know this. Try asking first. Then do an assessment. Make sure they match.
How do you adapt your tutoring to the student's needs?
Staying flexible and willing to try new approaches.
What types of materials do you typically use during a tutoring session?
It depends on the subject. Worksheets, practice tests, whatever works!