Barbara
Certified Tutor
I am an Instructional Coach, and I specialize in reading, grades 1-12. I also assist students in preparing for state assessments and college preparation for the ACT. I have been teaching 22 years and I believe that all students can learn and with support they can be successful. I teach at a school where we put special emphasis on learning through technology, and teach kids how to productively use Google Docs, iPads, and laptops to their advantage.
I have always enjoyed teaching and I know this is a special calling because I am never tired of working with children. I feel that I am also a motivator, because students tend to want to learn when we are together. I have never run from a challenge and sometimes tutoring can be, but I am willing to go the whole distance.
Connect with a tutor like Barbara
Undergraduate Degree: Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University - Bachelors, Elementary Education (K-6)
Graduate Degree: Grand Canyon University - Masters, Curriculum and Instruction Reading
singing gospels and writing poetry
- College English
- Elementary Math
- Elementary School Math
- English
- ESL/ELL
- High School English
- Homework Support
- Mac Basic Computer Skills
- Other
- PC Basic Computer Skills
- Phonics
- Reading
- Study Skills and Organization
- Summer
- Technology and Coding
What is your teaching philosophy?
My teaching philosophy is based on constructivism. "Constructivist teaching is based on the belief that learning occurs as learners are actively involved in a process of meaning and knowledge construction rather than passively receiving information. Learners are the makers of meaning and knowledge. Constructivist teaching fosters critical thinking and creates motivated and independent learners." Based on this theory that is where my passion and love for teaching began.
What might you do in a typical first session with a student?
The first thing that I will do with a typical first session is get to know my student. I will conduct a learning style inventory and then discuss this with the student. Based on that information we will begin our first session.
How can you help a student become an independent learner?
The way that I would help is by ensuring that I prepare the student and building them up in the content area where they would feel confident within themselves.
How would you help a student stay motivated?
I would help a student stay motivated by making sure that each session is a little different each time. I do not want mediocre sessions; so therefore we will have high energy sessions.
If a student has difficulty learning a skill or concept, what would you do?
I would start at the beginning of the concept and ensure that the foundation is supportive of the concept that is being taught.
How do you help students who are struggling with reading comprehension?
The way that I help struggling readers is by first assessing them to find their reading level or range with a reading inventory. Next, I will begin where the inventory tells me. If it is phonemic awareness or phonics, I will go through that quickly and also use mnemonic devices to help them remember certain sounds. I would then make sure they are fluent with common sight words. Once we have accomplished this we will begin reading leveled text and then move toward grade level. Because some students take longer than others this instruction is based on the individual student.
What strategies have you found to be most successful when you start to work with a student?
One strategy that I like to use is "getting to know you" and when the opportunity presents itself, reciprocal teaching. If the student is capable of teaching a concept back, they have learned the information.
How would you help a student get excited/engaged with a subject that they are struggling in?
I would help them to alleviate the "fear" that may be hindering them. I am not a comedian, but I have a way of making students laugh and learn at the same time. I try to relate, then tell them how I may have overcome such obstacles.
What techniques would you use to be sure that a student understands the material?
I use questioning, restating, and focusing the student on the most important concepts needed to help them learn the material.
How do you build a student's confidence in a subject?
By providing them with some stories from when I was in school. Once that is done, I would have them tell me why they struggle with a particular subject and then we would set goals to overcome that problem and move forward. I would provide support and then gradually release the student to work independently and continue to support where needed.
How do you evaluate a student's needs?
I talk with the student and have them fill out a student profile sheet that I have created in the past.
How do you adapt your tutoring to the student's needs?
Teachers must be willing to change and in this instance I will go wherever the student is to begin tutoring them. All students are not the same, so I adapt my style to that of the student as necessary.
What types of materials do you typically use during a tutoring session?
I use mostly digital resources and sometimes a textbook. This depends solely on what the student is in need of. I also like using presentations to keep the student from becoming bored.