Personal Description:

I've been teaching math to others for almost as long as I've been taking math. I was always helping others with their math, when they asked of course, and it was natural for me to progress to formal tutoring as I got older, especially after I went back to college in 1993. That's when I also started tutoring chemistry and physics, but math was (and is) my number one focus and interest.

While a student at Keyano College, I received a number of awards and scholarships, including a Canada Scholarship in Science and Engineering. I have a passion for learning and an equal one for teaching, sharing knowledge and skills to help my students understand not only what they need to know, and the skills they need to develop, but why they need to know

Tutoring Experience:

I've worked with students one-on-one and in small groups, with my professional tutoring career starting in 1993. I've tutored independently and as part of the three different Colleges I worked in throughout my career: Keyano College in Fort McMurray, Alberta; Lakeland College in Lloydminster, Alberta; and Mohawk College in Hamilton, Ontario.

From one-on-one tutoring, working in the Peer Tutoring Centre at Keyano College, to group math college preparation sessions on the Chipewyan Prairie First Nation southeast of Fort McMurray, to working with science and technology based students at Lakeland College and Mohawk College in a variety of capacities, including tutoring, I've had the pleasure and opportunity to work with students from diverse backgrounds and with many different needs and learning styles.

My primary focus has always been math, but also have extensive experience tutoring physics and chemistry. While I am not offering those subjects at this time, I am currently studying and refreshing my skills so that I can do so in the future.

Tutoring Approach:

Prior to 1993, I had the opportunity to work in a contract position with an adult literacy program through Lakeland College. It was there I was initially exposed to the ways in which individual learning styles can affect how a student understands and works through the material presented. It certainly helped me to understand that I am primarily visual and tactile when it comes to learning; auditory learning is not my strength and requires a lot more effort on my part.

This is why that when I first work with a student, I do an assessment to understand not only where they have gaps in skills and understanding, but also to help me identify their learning styles and incorporate those into my lessons.

I also believe that there are skills that every student should have, and that today we tend to rely too heavily on calculators and computers, rather than exercising our brain and developing good "math muscles." I focus strongly on helping my students develop