Georgia
Certified Tutor
Undergraduate Degree: Eastern Oregon University - Bachelors, Health and Business Management
Graduate Degree: Armstrong Atlantic State University - Masters, Public Health
Traveling, reading, writing, photography, gardening, baking, exercising
College English
College Geography
Elementary School Math
GMAT Analytical Writing Assessment
High School English
High School Geography
Quantitative Reasoning
Summer
What is your teaching philosophy?
My philosophy of teaching is based on whole person education, which takes into account 7 dimensions of a human being: intellectual, emotional, health/ nutrition, mental, social, cultural, and spiritual well being. Some models also include a financial element. If one part of the whole is not properly addressed or developed, it can have a negative impact on the other areas as well. Successful teaching reaches out and makes sure each element is planned for in the school environment, lesson plans, learning activities, classroom participation - essentially in everything the teacher does to teach! That's how I like to teach.
What might you do in a typical first session with a student?
In the introductory session, I spend time getting to know the student and helping the student get to know me. Establishing a good rapport with the student is the most important part of any healthy student/ teacher relationship. If there is no relationship, it will be difficult for the student to want to work with me and be successful in his/ her studies.
How can you help a student become an independent learner?
I use a variety of learning activities and instructional materials to help students see beyond school as something to be endured to viewing an education as something that will propel him or her into his or her future! Learning doesn't happen in a day; it happens every day of our entire lives. Embracing this idea is what transforms people from students into lifelong learners.
How would you help a student stay motivated?
I help students stay motivated by making their lessons interesting and relevant. For example, when helping students with language arts, I use contemporary literature in addition to the school curriculum so that students have something to which they can relate.
If a student has difficulty learning a skill or concept, what would you do?
There are many, many ways to present skills or concepts that a student needs to grasp. When I see something is not working, I change it up. Sometimes we might have to backtrack a little bit to reinforce previously learned skills and concepts, and then move forward from there.
How do you help students who are struggling with reading comprehension?
Reading comprehension is the key component in all content material. When a student is struggling with comprehension, I use multiple examples for the student to draw from and a variety of exercises that will help clarify meaning, including visual aids and hands-on activities.
What strategies have you found to be most successful when you start to work with a student?
The most successful strategy I use when beginning to work with a new student is to have a conversation about him or her, what they like, something at school, experiences they've enjoyed, and so on. This gives me a bit of an insight into the person I will be tutoring and helps me select materials and activities that will be most helpful.
How would you help a student get excited/engaged with a subject that they are struggling in?
I like to do things that provide real-life applications of what they are working on. If we are working on finding the mean, for example, one way is to look at professional athlete's averages and calculate them ourselves. To find area, we might measure the table we are sitting at and multiply the height by the width.
What techniques would you use to be sure that a student understands the material?
I use ongoing assessment by asking questions throughout the session. If there is a problem, it can be addressed immediately.
How do you build a student's confidence in a subject?
The best way to build confidence is to be successful. Successful learning is planned into each session.
How do you evaluate a student's needs?
I use anything at my disposal, such as school work, report cards, test scores, what the parent and the student say are his/ her needs, and so on.
How do you adapt your tutoring to the student's needs?
All tutoring is adapted to meet the student's individual needs. There is no sense in teaching a student in a way that makes it difficult for him/ her to learn. Watching the student's response to what I am doing provides me with information that allows me to modify my instruction and to use materials the next session that will be more effective with that student.
What types of materials do you typically use during a tutoring session?
I always use the student's school curriculum so that they stay current with their studies. I bring additional materials based on the student's age, subject, learning objectives, and so on. This may include word lists, crayons, scissors, measuring tape, library books, writing paper, laptop, cell phone, calculator, and so on.