Zachary
Certified Tutor
I look forward to simplifying learning and making it fun! I am a high school math teacher. I am teaching Geometry and Personal Finance this year, but I have also taught Algebra I, Algebra II, and College Algebra. I also co-teach the SAT and ACT prep courses for my school. On my time off, I enjoy spending time with my family, working out, and reading.
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Undergraduate Degree: DeVry University's Keller Graduate School of Management-Arizona - Bachelors, Electronics Engineering
Graduate Degree: University of Phoenix-Online Campus - Masters, Secondary Education
I enjoy doing Crossfit and spending time with my family. My students like asking me about my history training MMA fighting, workout and nutrition, and investing advice.
- ACT Prep
- Algebra
- Algebra 2
- Arithmetic
- Business
- College Algebra
- Elementary Math
- Elementary School Math
- Finance
- Financial Accounting
- Geometry
- Intermediate Accounting
- Managerial Accounting
- Marketing
- Math
- Middle School Math
- Pre-Algebra
- SAT Math
- SAT Mathematics
- Test Prep
- Trigonometry
What is your teaching philosophy?
I believe in students being able to master anything they practice, but it is much easier if they have a teacher that can break it down into simple steps.
What might you do in a typical first session with a student?
A typical first session with a student would vary depending on what the student needs. I like to see what problems they struggle with so that I know where to help them.
How would you help a student stay motivated?
Students stay motivated when they work with me because I compliment students on the small steps of progress that they are making.
How can you help a student become an independent learner?
I like to guide my students to use their resources to find an answer instead of just giving them an answer.
If a student has difficulty learning a skill or concept, what would you do?
I try breaking down the concept further. I also like relating the concept to something they may be more familiar with.
How do you help students who are struggling with reading comprehension?
It depends on the material. I may prime the students by going over definitions of possible trouble words before the reading. I may give a summary of the reading before we read it. I may introduce background information to the student so they are able to internalize the material more. Or I may use another strategy that fits that specific situation.
What strategies have you found to be most successful when you start to work with a student?
I like to have students start a problem and see where they get stuck. It helps to engage them in thinking, and allows us to focus on the exact areas the student is struggling. Students learn better when they figure out the problem than when someone shows them how to do it.
How would you help a student get excited/engaged with a subject that they are struggling in?
If a student is struggling, they normally have mentally checked out because they have given up. When I show them that they can actually be good at the subject, it does wonders for their motivation!
What techniques would you use to be sure that a student understands the material?
Assessments! I love giving tests and quizzes in my class. The only way to know if a student understands the material is for them to do the problems. It only takes a couple problems to tell if a student knows for most material.
How do you build a student's confidence in a subject?
Student's build their own confidence when they are making progress and succeeding in that subject. I just break down the material so that they can see their progress.
How do you evaluate a student's needs?
The best way to evaluate a student's needs is to have them do some problems and see what parts they struggle with.
How do you adapt your tutoring to the student's needs?
I focus on the exact areas the student is struggling with. I will simplify and go back to prerequisite skills until the student and I are on the same page.