10/29/2023
***TUTORing Bio & Info!:
Introduction:
My name is Christopher Kantner. Here is my Philosophy and other pertinent Information for prospective clients. … While this information was written for Tutoring clients, the core Philosophy is the same for Training and Nutrition clients.
Best of EFFORT, not luck, to ALL !!!
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All people are unique; All situations are unique. I take pride in being able to connect with people of all types, ages, and backgrounds. I strive to tailor my teaching and tutoring styles to accommodate each specific student differently. Some of us need pure honesty and tough motivation, whereas others need compassion and kind encouragement. I seek to find what works best for each individual student.
I deeply enjoy helping others succeed! I teach and tutor for the moment when you ‘see the light bulb go on’, which is that moment when a student you are helping transitions from confusion to comprehension within their own mind and their face brightens with joy. We All have it in us to excel. Sometimes we simply need a push or pull in the right direction, or assistance navigating a rough road. I enjoy helping others on their journey through science education.
I most certainly do not know, nor remember everything pertaining to the science courses I tutor. My purpose as a tutor is to facilitate learning in the student’s own mind. Although my knowledge and education is extensive, no one should care what I know, or how I can perform on exams. Rather, the concern should be on how I am able to help students understand concepts better, learn more efficiently, and then perform better on exams themselves. After all, I will not be present at exam time. Only the student and their own mind can be relied upon at that time. I will always be able to provide new perspectives and methods of learning and comprehension.
If the students and I encounter a topic which I am shaky or unfamiliar with, we will go through the learning process together, reinforcing the steps used to finding a solution or comprehension. Instances like that will be some of the most valuable experiences for the student(s) in our sessions. I will also help students think ‘outside the box’ of a particular course or concept, and utilize the totality if their life’s experiences and acquired knowledge to deduce answers and increase understanding of new information. Finding Connections is a crucial component of intellectual growth.
Pure memorization is considered the lowest form of learning. That said, there is still much to memorize in the sciences, especially in Anatomy. Yet, even with the amount of new terminology and information to memorize, there are still many angles of critical thinking, and wider connections to be utilized in order to facilitate better memorization techniques. This is an area where my assistance will be extremely valuable. If a student desires, I am still willing to repetitively quiz them in rote memory, but I will always make all attempts to show the student how learning deeper connections will help improve this process!
I will attempt to keep students primarily focused on the learning and comprehension processes, with exam considerations secondary. When a concept is truly understood, any exam question can be answered with relative confidence. That said, test-taking itself is somewhat of an art and also a skill which can be improved upon in general. I will show students various test-taking tips and tricks which will help them on exams, beyond knowledge of the material itself.
What is your typical process for working with a new student?
The student and I must first determine how and when to meet or connect online. Upon meeting, I like to take a little time to connect personally with the student. This will help me determine the best suited strategies for helping them learn and understand the material better, specifically gearing my teaching style to their personality. Then we discuss recent and distant past course material which has given them trouble. Finally, we attack the current coursework. Often it is necessary to revisit prior material to emphasize basics, correct misunderstood concepts, fill in comprehension gaps, and/or correct poor habits.
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
Most Recently, I taught Anatomy & Physiology at East/West School of Massage Therapy. I am now beginning to focus independently on my true passions. One is Tutoring Science students who are looking for that extra insight and perspective to catapult their learning, understanding, and thinking to a higher level. Another is Nutrition consultation. Lastly, Training clients for strength and proactive health benefits completes the foundation of CKaos' TNT!
I have tutored part-time for over 16 years. I tutored at Reading Area Community College (PA), 10-15 hours per week from 2007 to 2016. I was the only tutor to be approved for all available sciences, as well as mathematics up to basic trigonometry. Most of my students were nursing students at RACC, which is the largest and most difficult nursing school in the Reading area. My specialties are Anatomy & Physiology I & II, Chemistry I, and Biology I. I also will tutor most Neurobiology, Microbiology, Organic Chemistry, and Biochemistry.
I also worked as a volunteer lab assistant for Dr. Cola's A&P I labs for 2 years, ran an open lab once a week for 2 years, and taught a half of a semester of A&P II labs, 3 sections, filling in for injured Professor Davis. All of these experiences were at RACC.
Please see my other posts for pictures of my Degrees & Certifications:
1) B.S. Life Sciences (PSU, 2013)
2) Certified Fitness Trainer (ISSA, 2019)
3) Certified in Fitness Nutrition (ISSA, 2022)
4) A.S. Science Transfer (RACC, 2009)
5) A.A. Addiction Studies (RACC, 2007)
6) B.S. Administration of Justice (PSU, 1999)
7) CPR / AED Certified, & Insured!
8) Clearances approved by Wyomissing Area School District to work with and chaperone minors (Child abuse clearances, PA state clearances, FBI clearances)
Do you have a standard pricing system for your lessons? If so, please share the details here.
I charge $30 per hour for individual tutoring, payable after the session, with a satisfaction guarantee. If the student is not happy with their session due to no fault of their own, only $10/hour is required; However, this will terminate the possibility of further sessions. If financial hardship is demonstrated, I can be slightly flexible with the tutoring fees, especially for multiple sessions or multiple hour sessions. I charge different rates for groups, making it more economical to join with a few classmates for tutoring and teaching sessions. I charge $40/hour total for 2-4students, and $50/hour for 5+ students. Even though the individual attention is lessened with more students in sessions, the cheaper price per student is helpful for many. Also, the additional students and their questions often aid in the learning process for all. Tips and performance achievement gifts are also accepted and highly appreciated.
I also charge $20 per hour (plus tolls) for travel to and from a student's location over 15 minutes from my location in West Reading, PA. This covers gas, plus my time in transit. I am willing to travel up to 150 miles with paid travel expenses. Round trip pay is required prior to the session and is non-refundable due to the time allotment and actual travel.
I accept cash, CashApp, Venmo, credit card, and Paypal payments. Upon assignment acceptance, detailed discussion of how payments will be made can take place to avoid confusion or uncertainties.
How did you get started teaching?
I got started helping other students in my Biology I class at RACC in 2006. The professor was very difficult and required a high level of critical thinking of us students. Pure memorization would not cut it! I then realized I was able to get through to other students at a deeper level than the professor was, helping them understand concepts from their own perspectives. I developed an intense passion for helping others 'turn on the light bulb' within themselves. This continued through A&P II, which is when I began working part-time at the RACC Tutor Center. When I transferred to Penn State for my Life Sciences program, I continued tutoring part-time at RACC, while also working with fellow students at PSU privately.
What types of students have you worked with?
I have worked with absolutely ALL types of students. I have tutored high school students and grandmothers returning to school. I have tutored students from the U.S., several African countries, Russia, Belarus, Romania, Puerto Rico, Haiti, Jamaica, Honduras, England, Germany, India, Vietnam, Korea, etc, etc. I have tutored poor students and rich students. I have tutored many students with deep language accents. I have tutored handicapped students. I have tutored men, women, boys, girls, straight, gay, and everything in between students. I loved working with them all! To this day I sporadically keep in touch with over 30 students I have tutored in the past, with a few of them becoming lifelong friends. I will be asking a few to post a Review of their experiences with my tutoring on this page.
What advice would you give a student looking to hire a teacher in your area of expertise?
A student looking for a science tutor should find someone who can explain concepts, ideas, and connections in a simple manner, using analogies, stories, and humor. Simple memorization should be primarily left to the student and their motivation, thus not taking up precious tutoring time, unless that is what the student desires. To find a good science tutor, look for one who is as much an artist as a scientist; One who values both Creativity and Experimentation.
What questions should students think through before talking to teachers about their needs?
1) How motivated am I? What have I done so far to advance my own success in this course? What can I do myself to improve before asking for help and paying?
2) Why types of issues and problems have I had in previous science and math classes? What have I ever done to help my learning and situation at that time? 'Did I care', and 'Do I Care'?
3) How much effort am I willing to put into improving my understanding and grades in this course individually and with the help of a tutor? Do I want to just pay a tutor to go through the motions or do I truly want to learn?
All of these self-reflective questions put the ultimate responsibility on the student. The tutor's job is to facilitate true learning, not spoon-feed information. A textbook and literacy can do that. As a tutor, I, Christopher Kantner can assist you in exploring your potential and expanding your reality. Improved grades will follow indeed!
