What is your teaching philosophy?

To be an outstanding teacher, the goals of the classroom must be identified. The main goal will be for the students to achieve academic success. Having a guide for the students to reach that academic success in the schools is the first step. The next step is to identify what ways the students learn from in the most useful way. For example, looking at students to see if they learn by hearing or kinesthetically would be one of the first steps. The next step would be to look at the goals of the classroom. What would I like to see in my classroom for my students to succeed? The final step would be collaboration not only amongst other teachers in the classroom, but also by working with parents and others outside of the school to ensure student success.

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

During the first session with a student, I begin the session by discussing the student themselves. To be an excellent tutor, a relationship should be established so that better instruction can take place.

How can you help a student become an independent learner?

To teach a student how to become an independent learner, I would teach skills like the organization of their assignments, including planning their days or months to begin working on assignments.

How would you help a student stay motivated?

To keep a student motivated, I would do an activity that they enjoy as a reward for the work they have completed. If students have a goal to reach, they will work harder and achieve success.

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

If a student has difficulty learning a new skill or concept, I would look at the concept and explain differently to the student or use diagrams or pictures to explain the concept.

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

When a student is struggling with reading comprehension, I would begin to find out what they like to read. If they are interested in the reading, comprehension can be increased. I would also teach skills such as chunking and summarizing.

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

Successful strategies to begin working with a student include talking to them about the most difficult part of the subject for them and finding out what they do not like about the subject.

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

I would use real world examples to show how the subject is relevant to the student and their learning.

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

A technique that I would use to ensure understanding would be to ask questions to check understanding. Perhaps an informal assessment would also come into play.

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

I would use positive reinforcements such as "Good Job" and "I knew you could do it."

How do you evaluate a student's needs?

I would use informal verbal assessments based upon my teaching knowledge.

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

My tutoring would adapt to how the child learns, not how I teach.

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

Materials during a session would include diagrams, pictures, and perhaps online videos for the student.