What is your teaching philosophy?

I believe that a student learns best by practicing what they've learned in theory.

What might you do in a typical first session with a student?

I find out where and what they are having trouble learning in their studies to focus my plan of action.

How can you help a student become an independent learner?

I can empower them to think for themselves by not giving them the answer unless absolutely necessary.

How would you help a student stay motivated?

I like to make learning fun and enjoyable. It's best to approach the material so that a student may relate and connect to the subject.

If a student has difficulty learning a skill or concept, what would you do?

I would use the senses to aid understanding, such as seeing, hearing, speaking and looking at the "big picture".

How do you help students who are struggling with reading comprehension?

I help them understand using their senses so that what they are reading "comes alive".

What strategies have you found to be most successful when you start to work with a student?

To find out how the student relates to the world and use that technique. Would they rather see it, hear it or use their hands to explore the world?

How would you help a student get excited/engaged with a subject that they are struggling in?

Use real-life scenarios as examples so that a student can connect to the subject.

What techniques would you use to be sure that a student understands the material?

Use games, quizzes and tests to assist a student's understanding and comprehension. How would you explain (teach) this to someone else?

How do you build a student's confidence in a subject?

I build on past achievements for future challenges. Once a student masters one skill or ability, they will often believe that learning new ideas and concepts is fun and exciting, thereby building confidence.

How do you evaluate a student's needs?

I find out where and why they are struggling in their studies. Once you break down a total into its parts, the learning process becomes easier and faster.

How do you adapt your tutoring to the student's needs?

I find out how they learn in life. How do they process information? Do they learn best by first reading about the subject or testing out the idea with a hands-on method?

What types of materials do you typically use during a tutoring session?

Art materials: paper, poster board, pens, pencils, crayons, markers, Play-Doh. Sound effects: singing, musical instruments. Props: items that help tell the story.