Nadia Illma

CUNY Hunter College

3–5 years

I approach tutoring to serve as a method for students to achieve a higher level of learning. Students bring what they learn in the classroom, and I have them apply these concepts by solving questions and leading explanations of topics. For instance, I tutor biology at my college, which can be a difficult concept for students as the class demands a higher level of thinking, and not just memorization. In my supplemental instruction, I have students guide me through pathways and explain to me their thinking when answering certain questions.

I am a Biology student with three years of experience tutoring all levels of biology, chemistry, and organic chemistry. I have attended gifted and talented schools up to middle school, and I attended a specialized high school. I have tutored SHSAT preparation and am familiar with several AP exams.

I worked with a student who was struggling in their general chemistry class, as they had failed the first midterm. I first asked the student to show me their studying style, which consisted mostly of repeating flash cards. I explained to the student that while flash cards are helpful for a basis of learning a concept, it can be difficult to translate this passive method into active learning. I redirected the student to using this knowledge they had already built to answer questions that gradually increased in difficulty. I hoped that this would help the student gain a better grasp of the concept by actually applying their knowledge, and eventually lead the student to a mastery level of the concept. By the student’s next midterm, their score had increased by more than 20 points and they were excelling in the class. The student indicated to me that they had established the practice of the methods I taught them at home. By the end of the semester, the student had earned a grade of A in the class. They had continued to come to me for tutoring throughout, and this proved to me that my methods were able to lead the student to a mastery level grasp of the information.

East Village / Union Square, Midtown East, Upper East Side

Biology & Life Sciences, Chemistry & Physics

AP Biology Program, AP Chemistry Program

Standard

Tuesday, Thursday, Friday - Flexible - any time

90