Homework Help: Lower Stress and Boost Performance With Foundation Learning

Min's educational journey began in China, where he earned a Bachelor's degree in Physics from Nanjing University. He then pursued a PhD in Physics from Iowa State University. This academic background has equipped Min with a deep understanding of the intricacies of math and physics, which he skillfully translates into accessible, engaging lessons for students. Min has over a decade of experience as an educator and tutor, teaching over 1000 students.

Min has served as an Adjunct Instructor of Physics at Des Moines Area Community College (DMACC) and as a Physics tutor at the Academic Achievement Center (AAC) of DMACC. In these roles, he has honed his ability to adapt his teaching style to suit the diverse learning needs of his students, creating a supportive environment that fosters curiosity, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills.

One of Min's greatest strengths as a tutor is his ability to make complex subjects interesting and relatable to students. He employs a variety of strategies to engage learners, such as incorporating humor, suspense, and storytelling into his lessons, using interactive quizzes and YouTube clips to prompt discussion, and asking thought-provoking questions that encourage students to explore the material more deeply. By making the content relevant and accessible, Min helps students develop a genuine interest in math and physics, setting them up for long-term success in these subjects.

When students encounter learning blocks, Min draws upon his extensive teaching experience to provide targeted support. He breaks down complex topics into manageable chunks, uses visual aids to illustrate connections between concepts, and engages students in active learning techniques such as peer teaching and hands-on activities. Min also emphasizes the importance of metacognition and self-reflection, teaching students how to monitor their own learning and develop strategies for overcoming challenges.

To keep students motivated, Min sets clear goals, provides frequent feedback, and creates a positive learning environment that encourages effort and celebrates progress. He helps students see the relevance of what they're learning, offers real-life rewards for success, and serves as a role model for lifelong learning and personal growth.

Min approaches each student with compassion, understanding that learning can be challenging and offering support and encouragement every step of the way. His natural curiosity drives him to explore creative ways of explaining concepts, while his adaptability allows him to adjust his teaching style to suit individual learning preferences. Above all, Min is a patient mentor who celebrates small victories and encourages persistence, helping students develop the confidence and skills they need to succeed.

Hope graduated Magna Cum Laude from Boston University with a Bachelor of Science in Film and Television with a concentration in Sociology. She's played a significant role in students' educational journeys, including serving as a teaching assistant for a film production class at Tufts University. She first began tutoring out of a simple desire to help others learn.

Driven by the goal of helping students unlock their full potential, Hope acknowledges that traditional classroom teaching doesn't always cater to every student's needs. She aims to offer personalized learning experiences to foster academic growth. She specializes in ACT and SAT preparation, English tutoring, and AP courses.

Hope's tutoring methodology revolves around flexibility and repetition. Her aim is to ensure students feel completely at ease with the test or course material, allowing them to tackle it with confidence. Recognizing that each student learns differently, she tailors her approach to meet individual needs. At the core of her strategy is the pursuit of understanding the "why" behind any learning blocks. She engages in meaningful conversations with students to pinpoint the root cause of the issue. Rather than applying band aid fixes, she delves deeply to address and break down the problem comprehensively. Furthermore, she fosters motivation in her students by meticulously tracking their progress and encouraging reflection. This enables students to recognize the strides they've made, reinforcing their belief in their own potential. 

Some of Hope’s standout qualities as a tutor are empathy and understanding. She walks into every session with compassion, enthusiasm, and the belief that every student will experience immense growth. This creates a supportive environment where students feel valued and empowered to reach their goals. 

In the past, Hope used to memorize country flags for fun. Nowadays, she enjoys writing and singing music.

Prior to attending the Duke University School of Medicine, Miriam completed her Bachelor of Science in public health from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She has three years of tutoring experience, including being a summer instructor for Breakthrough Atlanta, a CHEMpossible assistant instruction at UNC, and an anatomy and physiology supplemental instructor.

Miriam is passionate about tutoring because she believes in the power of education. She was fortunate to participate in several enrichment programs as a child, which nurtured her love of learning and boosted her confidence to pursue her dreams. She specializes in tutoring Anatomy, Physiology, Algebra, and English at any level, including AP, and ACT tutoring. 

Miriam aims to empower students through one-on-one academic support. She believes personalized tutoring can be pivotal in helping students study according to their learning styles, tackle academic challenges, and build confidence in their abilities. When tutoring, one of Miriam's top priorities is helping students understand the reasons behind the concepts they are learning. Her typical session starts with a brief explanation of the topic, followed by practice problems to apply concepts. Each session ends with the student teaching the concept back to her, solidifying their understanding and confidence. 

When topics are difficult or uninteresting, she finds it helpful to zoom out and show how the concept fits into the broader subject. She also makes connections to students' interests to increase engagement. For instance, she might relate physiology to sports for a student interested in athletics. Her tutoring style focuses on creating a supportive and interactive environment that allows students to thrive. She empowers students through active participation, setting achievable goals, and providing constructive feedback.

One of Miriam’s greatest strengths as a tutor is her encouragement and active involvement in student learning. She celebrates all their successes and supports them through any challenges.  For her, tutoring is not simply about understanding concepts but about building foundational skills that can be utilized in all phases of learning. She excels at helping students develop effective strategies for approaching new concepts by adapting to their learning styles and preferences. She always gives 100% effort while providing holistic support, guiding study skills, time management techniques, and exam preparation strategies. 

Outside of tutoring, Miriam enjoys running, weightlifting, reading, and doing Lagree. She has also been interested in language learning in the past, having studied German throughout middle and high school, earning a German language diploma. She even had the opportunity to attend college in Germany!