What is your teaching philosophy?

My teaching philosophy is to provide students with the strategies and confidence needed to solve any problem or answer any question they may come across. Academic success comes from the right combination of dedication and critical-thinking skills.

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

Just like the first day of school in my 5th grade classroom, I like us to spend time getting to know each other and discussing the expectations we each have for the other. Each session provides us with a limited amount of precious time. Because of this, there is no time to waste. During the first session, I think it is important to discuss what behavior will be expected during tutoring sessions and what rewards we can set in place to celebrate hard work and success.

How can you help a student become an independent learner?

Students become independent learners when they know the tools that are available to them, and how to use them. If a student is struggling to read a passage, they take control of their learning when they decide to think back on strategies they have learned to support their reading, instead of giving up. If a student is working on a challenging math problem, and feel like they are stuck, they have become an independent learner when they break it down and look back over the work they have done in the past or research the topic to find the tools to solve the problem, instead of giving up or asking for the answer.

How would you help a student stay motivated?

Students that have not experienced a great deal of success in the classroom are often hard to motivate. Because of this, it is important to celebrate small successes and set very clear goals for the next steps.