Pat: Norridge tutor
Certified Tutor
I was fortunate to live out my passion for teaching in public schools, private schools, and international experience.
I enjoy working with students from preschool to adults. I have taught early childhood special needs to women who are transitioning from prison into the work world.
I am fascinated with the learning styles that determine how someone interprets their world.
Living to learn is my mantra. Every week brings new fascinating experiences.
I look forward to meeting new people that want to better their walks through life.
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Undergraduate Degree: The University of Northern Colorado - Bachelors, Elementary Education/ Special Ed Early Childhood
horses; reading; climbing
- Algebra
- Algebra 2
- Elementary School Reading
- Elementary School Writing
- English
- English Grammar and Syntax
- ESL/ELL
- Math
- Middle School Math
- Middle School Reading
- Middle School Science
- Middle School Writing
- Other
- Pre-Algebra
- Science
- Spanish 2
- Spanish 3
- Special Education
- Study Skills
- Study Skills and Organization
What is your teaching philosophy?
Follow the student and make learning include all five senses as much as is possible. The environment ought to be set up so the student looks forward to the time spent together with her/his tutor. It ought to be tailor made.
How do you help students who are struggling with reading comprehension?
Listening to how they read out loud. Seeing if they are struggling with content, flow and rhythm, or cadence, and seeing if they can pronounce the words and know their meanings.
What strategies have you found to be most successful when you start to work with a student?
A friendly atmosphere, with many choices of activities that incorporate their interests.
How would you help a student get excited/engaged with a subject that they are struggling in?
Observation of what is troubling them about the work. Especially in tutoring sessions, we must pinpoint the why so we can share valuable time together one on one.
What techniques would you use to be sure that a student understands the material?
Using a variety of assessments that fit the subject and application within their world that would be helpful. For instance, if it is for the classroom, making sure it applies to what they need and is in line with great support to be successful with the materials that we see hit the target.
How do you build a student's confidence in a subject?
By observing what is frustrating them and moving to another technique where they can get a new perspective. Whatever it takes to use our time to jump a hurdle.
How do you evaluate a student's needs?
Assessment -- both formal and informal -- and checking in often to see if we are meeting the goals we decided on together.
How do you adapt your tutoring to the student's needs?
By following the student and listening with great intensity to what they learn like and what they enjoy.
What types of materials do you typically use during a tutoring session?
A variety that will stimulate the senses. Games, visuals, balls, etc. Anything that is outside the box to make it fun.
What might you do in a typical first session with a student?
Get to know their personality and what they thoroughly enjoy, and what they want to steer clear from. Making their time important, and giving them a clear message that I am there to help in any way I can.
How can you help a student become an independent learner?
By giving them fun materials on their grade level. There are many opportunities in the world of technology to make things more interesting.
How would you help a student stay motivated?
Make it about them and what their needs are.
If a student has difficulty learning a skill or concept, what would you do?
I'd give many opportunities to have success in reaching the target.