Phi
Certified Tutor
I am entering my 3rd year of dental school at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston School of Dentistry. I have 5+ years of experience in ACT/SAT test prep as well as biology and chemistry in the Houston area. Please see my LinkedIn Profile at https://www.linkedin.com/in/phitrongpham/ for more information, I hope to work with you soon. Thank you!
Connect with a tutor like Phi
Undergraduate Degree: University of Houston - Bachelor of Science, Kinesiology
Basketball and Fishing
- Algebra
- Algebra 2
- Anatomy
- Anatomy & Physiology
- Calculus
- College Algebra
- College English
- Comparative Literature
- DAT
- DAT Perceptual Ability
- DAT Quantitative Reasoning
- DAT Reading Comprehension
- DAT Survey of the Natural Sciences
- Elementary Algebra
- Elementary Math
- Elementary School Math
- English
- English Grammar and Syntax
- Essay Editing
- Government
- High School English
- Literature
- Medical Terminology
- Medicine
- Middle School Math
- Physiology
- Reading
- Science
- Social Studies
- Study Skills
- Study Skills and Organization
- Summer
- Writing
What is your teaching philosophy?
By their very nature, people are inquisitive. The goal of education should be to encourage seeking answers, as it is in this way that we advance. I seek to facilitate this advancement of knowledge, and the main theme of my teaching philosophy is reasoned thought.
What might you do in a typical first session with a student?
I would definitely start by establishing a comforting and welcoming relation with the student, so they are more open and willing to ask questions. I truly believe asking questions is the key to establishing an interactive learning environment. Next, I would start by doing some light review on the topic, and will generally get a good feeling of where the student is in their understanding of the subject.
How would you help a student stay motivated?
Outside of the tutoring sessions, I like to text the student to see how they're doing in their studies and how they did on their exams. This establishes a mindset to meet and exceed expectations.
If a student has difficulty learning a skill or concept, what would you do?
I generally have a good sense to gauge if a student understands the topic or not. I will try to not over-complicate subjects more than they need to be. Aside from that, I always use real-life examples and apply them to the topic at hand.
What strategies have you found to be most successful when you start to work with a student?
Generally my students in the past have responded well to practice problems and real-life application when learning a new topic. Also, repetition is key.
What techniques would you use to be sure that a student understands the material?
I usually bring practice problems for students to work on and/or make my own. After a topic has been taught, I try to have the student pretend they're teaching the subject to me to make sure they can regurgitate the information well enough to their own understanding.
How do you build a student's confidence in a subject?
Practice and encouragement.
How do you adapt your tutoring to the student's needs?
I teach in a variety of methods.
What types of materials do you typically use during a tutoring session?
Practice tests I find online, as well as past assignments from other schools, as well as written questions.
How can you help a student become an independent learner?
Establishing study skills and encouragement to succeed.
How do you help students who are struggling with reading comprehension?
I work through strategies; since not all passages are the same, it is best to go over strategies that can be applied to all passages.
How would you help a student get excited/engaged with a subject that they are struggling in?
Apply questions to real life examples that invigorate the student.
How do you evaluate a student's needs?
Through practice tests and assignments from school, and material I have on-hand.