Deveney

What is your teaching philosophy?

My teaching philosophy is similar to that of sports: you can't get better without practice. Of course some people are born with talent, but most of us have to work hard over and over at something to get to where we want to be, and as a teacher I ensure that the work is meaningful and useful.

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

Our first session might not be us jumping right in; it is imperative to build some type of relationship in order to ensure the best outcome. We might spend 10-15 minutes going over your goals, what your strengths and weaknesses are, and how you like to learn. I would also need to know where you currently are by looking over whatever data you already have about yourself.

How can you help a student become an independent learner?

There are many skills that can be developed through tutoring, and independent learning is one of them. During our time together there will be a lot of tutor-led examples, but they will all be followed up with independent practice. Once we have established this routine we can start to increase the rigor by having the tutee come up with their own questions, or even investigate other ways to solve problems.

How would you help a student stay motivated?

When students see their progression it tends to help them stay motivated for their goals. We will often revisit what your goals are, and how far you have come just for that reason. Sometimes when you get a bad grade or something comes back lower than expected you lose hope, but being reminded of where you started puts things into perspective.