River Ray W.
Private tutor in Hampton, VA
Education
Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) - BS, Mathematics, Biology 2012 -Bio-statistical modeling and Mathematics. Beijing Forestry University (BFU) 2010 -Basic Chinese Language Program Beijing Language and Culture University (BLCU) 2010 -Intermediate Chinese Language Program Yunnan University (YU) 2011 -Advanced Chinese Language Program Vietnam National University, Hanoi (VNUH) 2011-12 -Basic Vietnamese Language Program
Experience
My first experience with tutoring came in my senior year of High School where I began helping my classmates with Calculus after-school. When I entered VCU, I began helping my classmates with Biology, Chemistry, and Mathematics. After traveling to Beijing, China to study Chinese Language at BFU, I began to teach English as a Foreign Language in one-on-one tutorship for local English Language centers. In addition to teaching English, I also taught SAT and Mathematics to High School students as needed. Deciding to change directions, I moved to Kunming, China known as the 'City of Eternal Spring.' While there, I taught kindergarten, elementary school, middle school, high school and university-level students in a variety of contexts, including Business English, IELTS, TOEFL, SAT, ACT, etc. Most classes comprised 6-20 students, although some were one-on-one tutorship. Later on, I moved to Hanoi, Vietnam where I stayed for three years, devoting myself full-time to teaching. I taught at Private Secondary and High Schools as well as English Centers, teaching a variety of test-based curriculum, including Mathematics and Science. As well as teaching students, I gave training in activity-building and pedagogy to dozens of young Vietnamese teachers and a handful of native English-speakers. Although lacking formal qualifications, I have been able to teach at dozens of English centers part-time and full-time. My personal study and teaching experience has given me insight into teaching methodology that cannot be learned in Master's Degree or teacher-training courses. I specialize in working with at-risk/violent children who may/may not be mentally or physically disabled. My colleagues describe me as personable, relatable and reliable. Many of my students have continued to university in foreign countries, including the United States where they have become very successful and motivated students. I keep in contact with my students after courses end, giving them encouragement and advice when needed in person and via social media.
Subject Expertise
AP Calculus BCWritingTOEFLSummer TutoringSATPre-AlgebraPre-CalculusPhysicsPhysical SciencePersuasive WritingMandarin ChineseHuman GeographyGuitarAlgebra 2AP Calculus ABGermanESL/ELLEssay EditingEnvironmental ScienceChemistryApplied MathematicsEarth ScienceDifferential EquationsAlgebra 1ChineseBiologyAP US HistoryAP Chinese Language and Culture
Availability
Weekdays after 9AM, Weekdays in the afternoon, Weekdays in the evening, Saturday after 10AM
Can Meet
Up to 20 minutes away for no additional charge, Up to 1 hour away at my regular hourly rate, Up to 30 minutes away for a flat fee
Hobbies
I believe that music is the key to unlocking potential talent in children. Music and dance develop cognitive and emotional abilities, thus music is often a core essential to the lessons I teach. Even if I do not tie-in music to the lesson, I often play guitar or sing songs to uplift students during troubling periods like examinations or when they seem depressed about family matters. I enjoy learning languages, meeting new friends and traveling, combining these interests as tools of my personal knowledge advancement. I am committed to maintaining and redeveloping the natural beauty of the world by education of students in environmentalism and low-impact lifestyles. In my travels, I have visited areas of stunning natural wealth from the Himalayas in Tibet and China to the steamy Jungles of Southeast Asia to the vast expanse of desert in the American Southwest and more. My goal in life is to educate and empower future generations to overcome the suffering of previous generations and contribute to building a healthy self, community and world.
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