What is your teaching philosophy?

My teaching philosophy is a student-centered approach. Students in my classroom help guide their learning, and I do my best to create rigorous and effective lessons.

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

I would get to know the student. What are their favorite things about school? Favorite subjects? I will also ask what they are most frustrated with in school and how they feel about specific subject. I will share my background and allow the student to ask me any questions. I want to establish a good relationship before moving on. I will also provide a quick assessment in the subject I am tutoring to gain a better understanding of student strengths and weaknesses.

How would you help a student stay motivated?

Praise is always effective. Rewards also motive young students. Rewards could be stickers, pencils, erasers, or time on the computer.

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

I would assess where the difficulty is and work on that skill. I will try to break it down to simpler steps before building back up.

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

Summarizing small parts of the text as they read. Pre-reading: allow the student to review prior to activity, allowing the student to already have read the story once. Pre-view vocabulary that might interfere with learning.

How can you help a student become an independent learner?

Building on their strengths to help build confidence.

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

1. Getting to know the student 2. Identifying likes/dislikes 3. Pre-Assess student’s abilities 4. Targeting strengths first, then easing into difficulties to ensure the student doesn't give up.

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

Find topics they enjoy reading or learning about and use them to help teach the skill they are struggling with. -link the activities to their everyday life so they see the value

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

Assessment- written and verbal projects to show mastery; spiral the skill into new lessons to ensure they continue to show mastery.