What is your teaching philosophy?

I love to teach in ways that suit each person; seeing them grasping the information is very rewarding. I believe having patience is key and adapting to the client's learning style is a must. I have experience with special needs, as my son is high functioning autistic. I enjoy working with children of all ages, as well as adults. I have experience in teaching students, new graduates, and fellow co-workers in the Nursing field. I have a BS in Biology and a BS in Nursing. I have 3 kids, ages 14, 11, and 7. I look forward to working with you and helping you understand and further your education in areas you may be struggling in.

How can you help a student become an independent learner?

I can aid a student in becoming an independent learner by discovering their learning style, and adapting and providing learning tools that will help them learn in a more independent manner. Providing study tools and problem resolution strategies for a student will allow them to become a more independent learner.

How would you help a student stay motivated?

I will try and challenge the student in a positive manner, and come up with ways that keep them interested in learning. That may involve creating a game or using other tools that pique the interest of the student to help keep them motivated.

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

My goal will be to break down the concept into a simplistic form in which they can understand better, then build on that foundation to incorporate more complex learning skills and concepts.

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

I will discuss with the student the ideas that they feel they are not getting, and then I will use certain strategies to help break down what they are reading to help them with the comprehension aspect. That may involve circling and underling certain passages, and going over core ideas that are the basis for reading comprehension.

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

First and foremost, I feel that getting to know the student, how they study and learn, and where they feel their difficulties lie is key to developing successful strategies for that student. Every student is different, and adaptation of their learning comprehension in forming strategies for the student is going lead to successful learning.

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

I would incorporate things that interest that student. For example, if the student is a gymnast, and I am tutoring in reading comprehension, I may create a story about a gymnast to hold their interest. If the student is into sports, I may create a game involving their sport of choice in order to help them stay interested enough to learn in the areas they are struggling in.

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

With continual positive reinforcement. Also, adapting strategies to the student's learning style as things progress, allowing them to more easily grasp the concepts and material, will deter them getting frustrated and allow their confidence level to continue to build.

How do you evaluate a student's needs?

Continuously, for sure. Also with communication and picking up on what types of things that show the student's strengths and weaknesses. Paying close attention to what learning styles the student responds to best, what they communicate verbally, and non-verbally, and how they express where they feel they are in comparison to where, I, as their tutor, feels they are will give me a good idea of where that student's progression and needs stands.

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

That will depend on the student. Upon first interaction, I will bring a variety of materials until I get to know their needs better. Written materials like quizzes, mini-tests, written activities, charts, games, and audio activities are a variety from which I may bring until I get to know the student better. I will then adapt to using materials that they learn best from, whether it be flashcards, games, quizzes or charts. I will also ask the student if they have any suggestions of things that have worked for them in the past which may help, as there are always new approaches to tutoring that I may be unaware of.

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

By doing a thorough assessment of how the student learns, communicates, and how they feel about what they are learning. Depending where they are mentally with how they feel about what they are needing help with, I may need to take a more mental approach to my tutoring before getting into hands on materials that may help that student. Communication and awareness is key to getting to know the student in order for me to adapt my strategies to their needs. Flexibility is a must - as the student dictates how I tutor, not me as a tutor specifically.

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

Communicate what exactly they are struggling with, how they feel about what they are learning, what types of teaching styles they feel works best for them, as well as their short term (by the end of the session) and long term goals (by the end of a few sessions).

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

I would go about administering a thorough review, give them different questions/quizzes (verbal or written), and ask things in different ways using the same information to make sure they truly understand what they are learning versus just grasping the concept that was taught to them superficially.