What is your teaching philosophy?

I believe the unique abilities and strengths of a child is critical in developing instruction.

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

I would have a student answer questions about their favorite subjects. I would also ask about their interests and hobbies, as well as what goals they have in their learning.

How can you help a student become an independent learner?

Students have to feel comfortable to take risks. I believe in progress, not perfection. Improvement in small goals helps us reach bigger ones.

How would you help a student stay motivated?

Besides giving positive feedback, I would also keep track of their progress to show them how they are making improvements.

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

I would narrow in on that specific area of difficulty, and work on providing targeted instruction.

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

There are many reasons behind reading comprehension issues. It is important to assess if it is due to language, vocabulary, memory, and a variety of other factors. Once it is determined, it is then the focus of instruction.

What strategies have you found to be most successful when you start to work with a student?

A student has to feel comfortable enough to express that he/she is not understanding the material. Developing a bond with a student and providing a nurturing atmosphere is key as a teacher.

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

I try to incorporate a student's interest in the subject matter by using examples or reading material based on their interests.

What techniques would you use to be sure that a student understands the material?

Asking questions throughout, and particularly at the end of instruction, shows their level of understanding.

How do you build a student's confidence in a subject?

Providing positive feedback and reminding them of how far they have come along in a specific subject is what I use with all of my students.

How do you evaluate a student's needs?

I use a combination of criteria that involve language (understanding at the word/sentence/paragraph level), level of vocabulary, and understanding of a specific content area, to name a few, to evaluate a student's level.

How do you adapt your tutoring to the student's needs?

Some require intermittent breaks or need a multi-sensory approach to instruction. I assess a student's learning styles early on so the instruction is most effective.

What types of materials do you typically use during a tutoring session?

I use a combination of short reading passages, or songs and poems, charts, manipulatives, whiteboards, diagrams, pictures, word banks, etc.