What is your teaching philosophy?

I believe that everyone learns at their own pace. It is my job to assist and guide learners toward reaching set goals. I enjoy working with students by being creative yet focused. Learning is fun.

What might you do in a typical first session with a student?

Our first session would be a time to get to know each other and to discuss their needs. We would get started immediately on the work at hand.

How can you help a student become an independent learner?

Students can become more independent and self confident when they experience success. It becomes a matter of setting up positive routines and study habits.

How would you help a student stay motivated?

Learners stay motivated when there are positive incentives. Things as simple as praise, stickers, and earning points tend to help encourage and motivate.

If a student has difficulty learning a skill or concept, what would you do?

I would break down the topic that is being tackled into small workable parts. When you divide tasks into pieces that are manageable, learners gain confidence and see that they can accomplish anything.

How do you help students who are struggling with reading comprehension?

Reading is crucial to all learning and all subjects. I would foster a love of reading by reading along with them, stopping frequently to ask questions and to assess what their point of reference is. Use of a timer might also help. Again by making reading fun, children will gravitate to it.

What strategies have you found to be most successful when you start to work with a student?

I like to make them feel comfortable and at ease. I will stress whatever topics they are most in need of help with. There are always alternate routes toward reaching an answer. If this doesn't work, try something else.

What techniques would you use to be sure that a student understands the material?

Question and answer. Have them explain what it is they understand, and what it is they don't understand.

How do you build a student's confidence in a subject?

Let them demonstrate successes, even if they are small ones.

How do you evaluate a student's needs?

I would have to ask the learner what their end goal is and try to lead them to that. Together, we could determine where they are in the process.

How do you adapt your tutoring to the student's needs?

By using many different methods, such as reading, hands-on materials, pictures, and review. All of this depends on the learner's age of course.

What types of materials do you typically use during a tutoring session?

I use the usual materials, such as books, paper and pencil, and sometimes music or poetry to make a point.

How would you help a student get excited/engaged with a subject that they are struggling in?

To help motivate a learner, I would start where they are, determine their level of interest, add some humor, and begin. Once they feel at ease, they can work backwards if that helps. Making progress is a steady, sometimes uphill struggle; however, I encourage them never to give up.