Tim: Auburn tutor
Certified Tutor
Tutoring is a very valuable way to invest in the future. I have had good and bad tutors in my experience. When a student excels in their learning, then it not only encourages them to keep moving forward, but it gives the tutor a sense of accomplishment. It is really a win/win situation. I believe in a variety of tutoring methods. No two people are the exact same. One person might learn best from explaining things in writing; another student might succeed in a verbal approach. Developing a relationship helps as well. This helps the student to be comfortable and to see that there is a real interest on my side to invest in them. I will do my very best to help you excel in your area of weakness. You deserve to succeed and I want to help you see that happen!
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Undergraduate Degree: Bethel College-Mishawaka - Bachelors, Liberal Studies
sports, games, outdoor activities
What is your teaching philosophy?
Communication is essential. You have to have patience and clarity. I also think that you need to know your information and find the best way to express that.
What might you do in a typical first session with a student?
I would try to evaluate where the student was in their studies, so that I knew how best to move forward. I would ask what they most recently had been learning, as well as what areas they were struggling with the most.
How can you help a student become an independent learner?
I would help them develop study skills, and I would take them through a 3-step progression. I would show them how to do something. Next I would have the student show me how to do it, and assist them if they needed help. Finally I would follow up with them in our next appointment to make sure that they retained the information.
How would you help a student stay motivated?
I have found that if you help them to learn new things and then go back and review, it helps to build their confidence and they continue to stay motivated when they feel like they are succeeding.
If a student has difficulty learning a skill or concept, what would you do?
I would go over it again. If they continued to struggle, I would try to present the information in a new way. If you continue to hit the same information from different points of view, it helps them to grasp things more firmly.
How do you help students who are struggling with reading comprehension?
I would have them read aloud. This helps them to see it and hear it, so that they capture the same information twice.
What strategies have you found to be most successful when you start to work with a student?
I have found that it is best to start with the basics and to then build upon that. If there isn't a foundation, then the material tends to be quickly forgotten.
How would you help a student get excited/engaged with a subject that they are struggling in?
There are a few ways to help engage a student. Setting attainable goals and marking them off each time, helps the student to make it their own. Also, if you approach material in different ways, then it can help to give them a better understanding and excitement.
What techniques would you use to be sure that a student understands the material?
I would be sure to review often. This helps the student to retain information; it also helps me to see how much they are grasping as a teacher.
How do you build a student's confidence in a subject?
Like it is with learning anything new, you have to set goals. Each time you meet a goal, it builds your confidence and propels you to succeed again!
How do you evaluate a student's needs?
I like to ask the student what they are currently learning, as well as what they understand the best. This gives me insight to know where I need to begin my tutoring.
How do you adapt your tutoring to the student's needs?
People learn in different ways. That being said, I like to teach in a variety of ways as well. This could be verbal, hands on, reading, or a combination.
What types of materials do you typically use during a tutoring session?
It depends on the student and how they learn best. It could range from a pencil and paper, to a beanbag.