What is your teaching philosophy?

My philosophy is that learning has to be engaging, fun and related to real life experiences.

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

I would do a getting to know you activity in which we learn about each other in order to be comfortable. I am also going to do a short assessment to see where the student is struggling so I can plan where to begin.

How can you help a student become an independent learner?

I can help students by improving their base knowledge/up to proficiency. Encouraging students to ask questions and take control of their learning.

How would you help a student stay motivated?

Students are motivated when they are confident. Not necessarily great learners, but confident learners. I teach it is ok to make mistakes, it is ok to ask questions, and to be confident that they can and will learn. This motivates students if they know they are safe.

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

I would do 2 things; go back and re-teach the concept. Then I would adapt it to a way they understand. Whether it be something they are interested in, like football or soccer, or applying it in a real world setting.

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

My approach is to push vocabulary! Vocabulary is the key to comprehension; if you don't know the words, you won't understand the text. Other ways I help is by having book "talks," visualization techniques, as well as summarization.

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

By showing them what they already know, and how they can improve on what they are experts on already.