PrepNow Tutor - Alexis M.
An academic and teacher, Alexis is friendly, reliable, and outgoing. Alexis graduated from New York University where she was part of the Gallatin School of Individualized Study. As such, she designed her own interdisciplinary major, which focused on sociology, law, and justice. She also minored in child and adolescent mental health studies. In her broad academic plan, Alexis was able to learn psychology, sociology, and legal studies, as well as history, research, writing, and reading analysis.
While in college, Alexis joined America Reads. The program assigned her to a local fourth-grade classroom, where she worked one-on-one with students who were struggling with reading. It was there that she learned how much she enjoyed teaching and working with kids, “seeing how excited they get when they begin to understand something” that was previously confusing. She also cultivated a teaching style of “learning about students' interests to incorporate into the lesson to make it more engaging.” Alexis loves fashioning a space in which students genuinely love to learn.
Since graduating from university, Alexis has worked in childcare and tutoring. She currently tutors students ranging from elementary school children working on their reading and mathematics to high school students preparing for SAT and ACT. With each student, Alexis tailors the curriculum and each lesson to the student’s needs at the moment. As such, her teaching style is “a hybrid between instructing and facilitating.” She believes that directing students is important and necessary, but so too is “allowing them to approach things themselves.” Often she will demonstrate how to solve a problem, then ask the student to solve a similar problem, guiding as needed. This approach “allows students a deeper understanding of the subject matter.” “I think that guidance and encouragement, as well as understanding and compassion, are very important qualities to bring to teaching,” Alexis explains.
Alexis has always been heavily involved in academics. As a high school student, she was recognized for her success in honors and AP courses and was awarded a certificate for distinction on the SAT. She volunteered as part of her membership in the National Honor Society, working with autistic children, assisting Toys for Tots, and as a peer advocate. Alexis was involved with her student council, even serving as treasurer during her junior and senior years. In college, she joined the Delta Gamma sorority where she also took on leadership roles.
These days, you’ll often find Alexis reading. Sometimes reading is simple entertainment. Just as often, she reads to learn about new developments in psychology and law. Both subjects are “ever-changing and always interesting.” She also enjoys cooking and drawing. Most of all, Alexis loves spending time with her three dogs.
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