Kathie
Certified Tutor
Undergraduate Degree: Grand Valley State University - Bachelors, Social Science
Graduate Degree: University of Michigan-Ann Arbor - Masters, Education - Curriculum Development & Supervision
Lifelong figure skating fan. Avid Kindle Reader. Love movies, concerts, and hiking easy trails.
What is your teaching philosophy?
I love everything about school, especially learning something new and books. I hope to inspire the same love of learning in my students by making the lessons fun and easy to understand.
What might you do in a typical first session with a student?
During the first session, my focus is on clearly understanding the student's goals. I ask questions and listen carefully to the answers. The student sets the agenda, and then we get down to work.
How can you help a student become an independent learner?
Becoming an independent learner requires skills, tools, and techniques for learning. I empower my students to take control of their own learning, with easy and effective techniques that lead to greater success in school.
How would you help a student stay motivated?
Helping a student stay motivated involves setting goals and tracking one's progress toward those goals. I use several different visual methods to keep students motivated that include knowing how close they are to achieving their goal at all times. The closer they get, the more excited they become!
If a student has difficulty learning a skill or concept, what would you do?
When a student has difficulty learning a new skill or concept, I take full responsibility for that as the tutor. It is up to me to come up with a better way to explain the concept so the student does understand! Fortunately, I have always been good at explaining concepts in a clear way that helps students to "get it!"