Shannon
Certified Tutor
Undergraduate Degree: University of North Texas - Bachelor in Arts, Psychology
ACT Math: 31
ACT Reading: 33
I spend most of my time with my family going to museums, zoos, and many concerts. We also spend a lot of time traveling. When I’m home I’m always trying to learn more through reading various genres of books.
6th Grade AP Language Composition
Academic Coaching
ACCUPLACER Prep
ACCUPLACER Arithmetic
ACCUPLACER Elementary Algebra
ACCUPLACER Language Use
ACCUPLACER WritePlacer
Admissions
Adult Literacy
Algebra 3/4
AP English Language and Composition
AP English Literature and Composition
AP US History
British Literature
Business
Canadian French Language Proficiency
CLEP Prep
CLEP Introduction to Educational Psychology
CLEP Introductory Psychology
Clinical Psychology
College Application Essays
College English
College Geography
College Level American History
College Level American Literature
College Math
Composition
Expository Writing
Fiction Writing
French 1
GED Math
GED Reasoning Through Language Arts
GED Science
GED Social Studies
High School Business
High School Chemistry
High School Economics
High School English
High School Geography
High School Government
High School Level American History
High School Level American Literature
High School Physics
High School Writing
ISEE Prep
Kindergarten Readiness
Macroeconomics
Middle School English
Middle School Reading
Middle School Reading Comprehension
Middle School Science
Middle School Writing
Music
Other
Psychologies
Robust Reading Class
Short Story Fairytales
Social Sciences
Spelling, Grammar, and Writing Skills Class
STAAR EOC Prep
Study Skills
Study Skills and Organization
Summer
World Literature
What is your teaching philosophy?
Every student has the potential to learn. The key is finding the right teaching technique and making the material relative to the student.
What might you do in a typical first session with a student?
In the first session with a student I like to get basic knowledge of the situation, beyond what has already been provided. I'll ask the student why they feel they are struggling, what they feel they want to accomplish, and how I can help them.
How can you help a student become an independent learner?
I feel that giving independent work and letting a student reason along their own path helps them gain their own insights and learn independently.
How would you help a student stay motivated?
I would remind them WHY we are doing tutoring. What is the goal? A good grade? Getting into college? Keeping sight of the positive things to come help students not get so bogged down when they are struggling.
If a student has difficulty learning a skill or concept, what would you do?
I would look at a different approach to learning than what had been used thus far, along with using other learning aids.
How do you help students who are struggling with reading comprehension?
The first step is always to diagnose the problem and pinpoint why they are struggling. Are they reading too quickly? Are they not understanding due to the vocabulary, etc.? I would follow up based on the issue at hand.
What strategies have you found to be most successful when you start to work with a student?
I focus on building a report with the student, relating to the student, and setting common goals for us to follow so that we are on the same page the entire time.
How would you help a student get excited/engaged with a subject that they are struggling in?
The key is relate. Relate the subject to what the student is interested in. If the student is struggling in reading, point them to material that interests them.
What techniques would you use to be sure that a student understands the material?
To check understanding the key is test. I like to verbally talk about the material and see what the student took from what they studied. Also, I rely on written assessments and self-report of understanding.
How do you build a student's confidence in a subject?
Starting small and having little victories allows a student to build up their confidence before they get to greater challenges.
How do you evaluate a student's needs?
I like to verbally discuss the student’s needs and what THEY feel they are struggling with. I also like to talk to parents and teachers, along with current grades in an area, and testing.
How do you adapt your tutoring to the student's needs?
I change my teaching strategies and level of explanation based on how a student is doing.
What types of materials do you typically use during a tutoring session?
If I am working with a student on schoolwork, I like to use direct sources from the student’s class such as notes or textbooks. If it is out of class material, I like to use reliable review books.