Personal Description:

My history is a little sordid. I studied Engineering at McMaster University for 2 years after secondary school. I had difficulty relating the course materials to “real-life” and so I achieved low grades and quit. I went to work in the steel industry for 2 years and then returned to school – this time to Mohawk College. I exceled in college and graduated at the top of my class.
After working in the engineering field for a few years, I returned to my university studies, and I was at the top of every class I took. I finished levels 2 and 3 (out of 4) in Materials Engineering at McMaster, until I had to leave for personal reasons.
I returned to McMaster to complete my final year on a part-time basis in 2013 and graduated in 2016.
I believe that my voyage through the academic world makes me more accessible to students – I “get it.”

Tutoring Experience:

I am new to formally tutoring students, but when I was in college and university I was always able and willing to help my fellow students raise their grades and broaden their understanding of the course materials.
Things have changed a LOT since I was in secondary school, but I own and intend to always refer to the Grade 11 and 12 University and University/College - stream text books that have been approved by The Ontario Secondary Curriculum.
I am willing to take on academic-stream students in Grades 9 & 10, but I am unfamiliar with the syllabi – I am more comfortable tutoring Grades 11 & 12.

Tutoring Approach:

I view tutoring students as a 2-way street: - I expect the students to share their experiences and knowledge (or lack thereof) and I will do the same. I will require the student to share their class notes, assignments, and tests/exams. I will NOT complete student assignments, but I WILL coach them through the logic that will lead to their successfully completing them.
First, I will review the prerequisites to ensure the student is up to par before approaching a new topic.
Next, I will go through the key objectives and purposes of the new topic being covered. I will prepare exercises & quizzes that build upon prerequisites to ensure a broad understanding of the material.
Before assignments, tests and exams, I will prepare samples for the student. I will focus on questions that require critical thinking and creative problem-solving where possible.