Janice
Certified Tutor
Undergraduate Degree: Susquehanna University - Bachelors, Mathematics
Graduate Degree: West Chester University of Pennsylvania - Masters, Education
Reading, crafts, shopping, outdoor activities, cooking/baking, watching sporting events, and spending time with family and friends
What is your teaching philosophy?
I believe a teacher is supposed to empower students to apply the knowledge they have learned to different situations. A teacher is supposed to stimulate the student's confidence so they are willing to take a risk.
What might you do in a typical first session with a student?
In a typical first session, I want to build the student's confidence in the information that they do know and develop strategies for the student to use with information they do not understand.
How can you help a student become an independent learner?
To help a student become an independent learner, I will ask leading questions about the problem and have the student explain how they would approach the problem to be solved.
If a student has difficulty learning a skill or concept, what would you do?
If a student has difficulty learning a skill or concept, I would break it down into smaller parts. I would have the student practice the skills to build confidence, and then I would put the pieces together. At times, I would have the student write down the steps needed to solve the problem.
What techniques would you use to be sure that a student understands the material?
To make sure a student understands the material, I would have the student explain the problem/process to me as well as have the student solve several problems on the topic.
How do you build a student's confidence in a subject?
I build a student's confidence in a subject by having them feel successful. I would ask leading questions that they can answer which would lead up to the question being asked or problem being solved.
How do you adapt your tutoring to the student's needs?
I adapt my tutoring to my student's needs by observing the student. Some students like to struggle, while others like encouragement along the way, and still others need leading questions to help them figure out how to solve a problem.