What is your teaching philosophy?

A teacher is “a student for life;" a good teacher is always learning, is always curious about learning something new in academics and in life.

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

Make a connection. The student maybe is shy and there is no eye contact, but I'll mention how my kids love this or that action figure and immediately the student looks at me and he/she begins to feel comfortable.

How can you help a student become an independent learner?

Building their confidence, telling them how well they are doing and giving them choices in their academic learning.

How would you help a student stay motivated?

Praise, giving different choices and having them choose what they want; empowering them.

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

Stop, go back to review basics, see where the gap is, and then move forward. Scaffolding the instruction best suited for the student.

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

Taking a reading inventory is necessary to meet the instructional and independent reading level of the student. Pre-reading and post-reading activities engage the student and break information into manageable sections. Using graphic organizers, rereading and monitoring understanding during reading.

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

Making the student feel comfortable, getting to know likes and dislikes, and understanding the level of abilities before any work starts.

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

Pre- viewing the task ahead, breaking it apart so the student does not feel overwhelmed, and giving choices on how to continue. Reviewing past materials to find gaps that have been missed.

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

Retelling, graphic organizers, verbal quizzes, and monitoring understanding along the way with questions and comments about the task at hand.