What is your teaching philosophy?

I believe that all students can learn if they are given the opportunity and the modifications they need. I believe that students learn through modeling and guided practice, with teacher as the facilitator.

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

I would assess the student to see were their particular needs are so that I can target those needs.

How can you help a student become an independent learner?

I can help him/her develop the tools they need to succeed in the classroom.

How would you help a student stay motivated?

I would try to help them see that they can do what it takes to succeed.

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

I would try to find a way that works for that student. For example, if a student has trouble with a math concept I may use manipulatives to make the concept more concrete and accessible.

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

I would use guided reading to help the student work on specific comprehension skills such as predicting or comparing and contrasting.

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

I find it most helpful to assess the student to get a solid understanding of the student’s particular needs. I would then design a program to target the student’s particular needs.

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

I would try to find a way to include topics that excite the student and in this way engage the student in the subject.

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

I would assess the student regularly through observations and tutor-made assessments to ensure that the student understands the material.

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

I would build the student's confidence by showing him/her ways that they can do it. Once students see that they can do it their confidence will rise.

How do you evaluate a student's needs?

I evaluate students through multiple assessments that give me a good idea of their needs and progress. I use assessments such as observations, tutor-made assessments, as well as standardized assessments such as the Qualitative Reading Inventory and DIBELS.

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

I adapt my tutoring by tailoring it to the student’s particular needs using data from assessments. If assessment data indicates that a student has trouble with decoding, I would use a program to target that need.

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

The use of materials depends on the student’s needs. If the student has trouble understanding the base ten system I may use base ten blocks. If a student has trouble with decoding I may use materials from the Wilson Reading Program.