
Katherine
Certified Tutor
Undergraduate Degree: University of St. Thomas - Bachelor in Arts, English
Graduate Degree: Loyola Marymount University - Master of Arts, Secondary Education
Reading, writing, art, being outdoors, movies, music, sports
CAHSEE ELA
CogAT Prep
College English
College Geography
College Level American History
Comparative Literature
High School English
High School Geography
High School Level American History
ISEE Prep
What is your teaching philosophy?
My philosophy in education is that all students are smart. It is my job as an educator to meet each student where they are and to guide them in the achievement of their educational goals. Learning should be personalized and fun.
What might you do in a typical first session with a student?
A student's comfort level is very important when learning. I would begin a first session by sharing about myself and asking about my student - in educational matters and also in personal interests. I would then have the student perform basic diagnostic exercises to assess where he/she is and determine what goals to set.
How can you help a student become an independent learner?
A student can become an independent learner when executive functions are taught concurrently with content. Mastery of executive functions and understanding of how he/she learns will help each student to become the independent learner they are.
How would you help a student stay motivated?
Praise is important in motivation. The type of praise a student prefers will differ greatly based on age and personality, so the way to best praise a student will be learned over time. Short study breaks with fun activities throughout long sessions are good as well.
If a student has difficulty learning a skill or concept, what would you do?
If a student has difficulty learning a skill or concept, it is important to point it out, talk about it, and include it in a goal for the student as soon as possible. The goal should be set by both student and tutor.
How do you help students who are struggling with reading comprehension?
Students who struggle with reading comprehension need to read at their own level, to start with. Once it is ensured that a student is reading at his/her own reading level, it might help for the student to read aloud with another person or to stop frequently throughout reading in order to ask questions.
What strategies have you found to be most successful when you start to work with a student?
A strategy that works well when first working with a student is setting specific, measurable goals right away and ensuring that the student knows how close he/she is to achieving those goals at all times.
How would you help a student get excited/engaged with a subject that they are struggling in?
Setting achievable goals can do wonders for a student's interest in working. He/she might not enjoy the content any more than before, but he/she will feel gratified in the achievement of goals and in seeing improvement.