Dr. Stephan’s
Three Keys to Teaching
My approach to teaching and tutoring in a nutshell.
Inspire motivation.
We all learn better when we actually want to learn. Now let’s be honest; nobody’s jumping for joy over test preparation. My goal is to get students to understand why this is such a sweet deal for them - a little work now pays off BIG TIME later. If they can get behind that idea, then half the work is already done. Also, you’ll never meet anyone who gets as excited about quadratic equations as I do.
Build confidence.
Whether it’s shooting a basketball or deciphering coordinate geometry, we perform better when we believe in ourselves. To build confidence, I do two things. First, I let them know that standardized tests aren’t the end of the world. There’s more important things out there - like being a good person! - so don’t freak out. Second, I make sure that their skills are on point, since their confidence will improve as their familiarity and expertise in the material improves.
Develop expertise.
Gaining an expertise in anything - painting, golf, playing the violin - takes a lot of hard work, time, and effort. Writing and standardized tests are no different. To develop an expertise I assess students’ current gaps, teach them what they’re missing, intensively rep their weaknesses, and get them to practice their skills in as real an environment as possible. That way, when test day comes around, they’ll feel confident and prepared for what’s ahead.
Success, in both teaching and learning, begins with a plan.
Find out more.
Dr. Robert Stephan
rstephan@alumni.stanford.edu
(650) 468-6645