What is your teaching philosophy?

I believe that it is important to infuse the latest technology in the classroom for 21st century learners. I have incorporated a variety technology into the classroom, such as Smart Boards and master teacher computers, in order to create an interactive classroom. I am also well-versed in PowerSchool, and its many features, allowing students to be constantly aware of their grades, and for me to add comments to all assignments. I am also in the midst of learning a new Google platform that will allow for textbook-less classrooms, as well as the ability to submit and grade all assignments by computer. I have also used many other applications such as blogs, online surveys, the Microsoft Office Suite, and Wikis. In order to maintain the highest of standards, I welcome the opportunity to work with students from a variety of educational backgrounds. I have had the privilege of teaching a very diverse set of learners representing many different backgrounds, including students from recent immigrant households, urban settings, suburban communities, as well as rural neighborhoods. I have also spent a significant amount of time working with special education students, and am conscious of the responsibility to help students with special needs to achieve their classroom goals. I guide students by incorporating techniques such as review, preview, paraphrase, clarification, accessing prior knowledge, and engaging in a process approach to learning. As such, I have embraced the co-teaching model and learned to work side-by-side with another teacher, to the benefit of our mutual students. I hope to broaden the horizons of students by showing them new historical perspectives. I feel this is important, so students can understand many cultures from around the world and respect the inherent differences that make our diverse society such a fantastic place to live. I feel that I am the most motivated and hardworking candidate you will encounter. For me, there is no amount of work that is too much, because our students are worth every last bit of my effort.

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

During a first lesson it is important not only to find out what subject the student needs help with, but also to gauge how best to go about teaching that student the relevant material.

How can you help a student become an independent learner?

Challenging the student to take on the responsibility of learning within a structured environment is the best way to push them to become more independent in their learning. This is done by using the process of scaffolding, giving a student support and guidance when needed, but also giving them space to figure out the problems at hand on their own.

How would you help a student stay motivated?

Showing a student how far they have come, and the depth of their improvement, shows them what they are capable of, and thus gives them the belief that they can in fact finish off the goal they have and take on new ones.

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

The best thing to do when a student is struggling with anything is to break down the subject, skill, or issue at hand down to its smallest units. That way, the amount and difficulty of learning is much easier to handle.

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

The best thing to do in this situation is to break down the reading into manageable chunks, then review with them what the significance of each chunk has to the story in total.

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

Building a report with a student and understanding how they learn are the two major components. If you cannot connect with the student on some personal level in order to make them invested in the learning, or understand how they learn best, you will not be able to teach them.

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

Every subject has something that can appeal to everyone. The way you get someone excited about a subject is by finding that something within the subject that interests them.

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

Using formative assessments along the way is the best way to check for understanding as you progress through the subject matter.

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

Showing a student that a subject is not as difficult as they might think and that they are capable of learning it can inspire great confidence in a learner.

How do you evaluate a student's needs?

Getting to understand a student personally and how they learn is the primary way of determining how they learn best and what they need to reach their goal.

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

Having a flexible approach is key. I need to teach in a manner that fits how the student learns best; I cannot expect students to learn if I teach in a manner that does not fit their strengths.

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

If possible, using relevant primary sources is the best way to teach social studies. These can help cut to the heart and soul of any historical topic.