Everyone learns in a little bit different way, and we all learn at different speeds. As a teacher, my job is to help coach you to find those individual ways to succeed and learn from the mistakes that are made in that exploration process.

I want to get to know the student: their needs, their successes and failures, and their basis of knowledge. Once I know this, we can begin to prepare for whatever it is the student is trying to improve upon.

Perfect practice makes perfect. Independent learning is about critical thinking, communication, problem solving, brainstorming, and determination. I always reflect with a student on how they can improve in these core areas to become a more self-directed learner.

With positive reinforcement and by keeping their eye on the smaller and larger goals they have set for themselves. It is encouraging to remember that education is only going to be more important to future success. When we think about that, it can help us push through the struggles we have.

I'd look at it from a different perspective. There is always more than one way to learn a new concept.

I try to relate the material to their experiences in some new way.

The only thing I have found to not be successful is giving up. Past that, everyone learns in their own way, so trying new strategies is a great way to expand thinking processes beyond what we traditionally do.

I'd show them why it is important to their future success. As long as the student has an open mind, we can make progress and find a connection.

I'd use various assessments, be it verbal or written. I try to avoid multiple choice because it is so finite. I love to work with students on their writing and their argumentation, because the communication and logical thinking required are skills needed for the 21st century worker.

I remind them we all fail, that failure is good, and that we learn best from it when we can find why the mistake was made. Then, I'd help the student not make the mistake again.

First, and simply, by asking them, and then helping them practice critical thinking in the process. Then, by assessing their knowledge and skill level early and throughout the coaching process.

By being flexible from day one. I don't go into teaching with an expectation of anything besides that the student will work hard. Everything else is fair game for how to work together to improve.

Primary and secondary source readings, videos, podcasts, charts, graphs, and images. Anything we need to get the information to the student in a way that allows them to be successful.