Rebecca
Certified Tutor
Undergraduate Degree: Immaculata - Bachelor in Arts, Biology, General
Graduate Degree: Towson University - Unknown, Chemistry
My hobbies are cooking, biking and spending time with my nieces and nephews!
College Biology
Ecology
Executive Functioning
High School Biology
Learning Differences
Life Sciences
Other
What is your teaching philosophy?
I believe any student can succeed in any subject. It is only a matter of finding the right motivation and clarity. I love being a part of that process!
What might you do in a typical first session with a student?
I would find out what the student has been struggling with, and what the student has had success with in the past.
How can you help a student become an independent learner?
The same way I teach. By first doing direct instruction, followed by guided instruction, ending with independent instruction.
How would you help a student stay motivated?
The key here is to find out what motivates an individual student. It is not the same for everyone.
If a student has difficulty learning a skill or concept, what would you do?
My job as a tutor is to determine what misconceptions or road blocks the student has, to clear these up, and/or to figure out how to re-teach the content in a way he/she can understand.
How do you help students who are struggling with reading comprehension?
I am a special education teacher, so I would first try to determine if there is an underlying problem. Then, I would work on reading comprehension in a subject they enjoy first.
What strategies have you found to be most successful when you start to work with a student?
I believe in first establishing a relationship with the student. Also, tutoring is the best platform for differentiation, and students can really succeed if content is personally tailored for them.
How would you help a student get excited/engaged with a subject that they are struggling in?
This is where the relationship I established and the differentiation pays off!
What techniques would you use to be sure that a student understands the material?
I would use additional materials to assess the student.
How do you build a student's confidence in a subject?
I am great at motivating a student. Also scaffolding questions helps students to build confidence as well as skills.
How do you evaluate a student's needs?
A quick pre-assessment can help me evaluate what a student already knows and what a student still needs.
How do you adapt your tutoring to the student's needs?
Tutoring is all about adapting to a student's individual needs. At first, a student needs complete instruction one-on-one help. Then, as she/he grows, the tutor is able to allow him/her to become more independent.
What types of materials do you typically use during a tutoring session?
The main materials will be the student's school text and work, but I like to supplement with my own materials and hands-on activities as needed.