PrepNow Tutor - John S.
John has a decade of experience teaching EFL a range of academic topics from K-12 to college level. His educational background is colorful, as he holds a BA in economics, classics, and German from the University of Georgia; a BS in biology, also from UGA; and an associate of arts in Korean from the Defense Language Institute. After graduating from UGA, John founded a successful teaching and translation business in a foreign country for three years. "Living in a multilingual context abroad piqued my interest in international affairs and motivated me to join the U.S. Air Force—where I worked as a linguist for seven years," he notes. "Having experienced life from the perspective of a student, service member, and professional, I can relate to people from various backgrounds," he shares. In addition to tutoring, he is a network administrator for a private firm that supports the U.S. Coast Guard.
In high school, John discovered his love of teaching when he began helping adults prepare for the GED. In college, he tutored peers in general studies subjects, clocking some 500 hours! Abroad, he continued to teach as an instructor of English as a Foreign Language. Through various volunteer positions, he accumulated many more hours while tutoring K-12 students in multiple school subjects.
Regarding John's teaching strategy, he likes to preview the material at the beginning of each session and then lead into the core subject matter. "Whenever possible, I like to ask questions and give the student the opportunity to explain what they already know. And then I relate the unfamiliar subject matter to that which the student already knows," he clarifies. By allowing the student to talk through the material and ask questions where needed, John is to help the student use their strengths to overcome any weaknesses. He also likes to teach study strategies and create a positive image of learning. "I find that this kind of help continues to benefit the student long after the tutoring session has ended," he concludes. To keep his students motivated and interested, he appeals to things they enjoy with a sense of humor and lightness.
In high school, John participated in his school's math and wrestling teams. During his military career, John garnered the Commandant's Award (the highest academic award possible) and the title of Airman of the Year in 2018.
Outside of work, John likes to do things that are both enjoyable and helpful for self-development: reading, exercising, gardening, and professional development. Fun fact: in college, John interviewed the former U.S. Ambassador to Germany for an oral history project!
|