What is your teaching philosophy?

In order to keep it, you have to give it away. The best way to retain information is to share it with others. The one who teaches and the one who learns both benefit, indeed.

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

First things first - in what ways do you rock? Sure, essays might not be your cup of tea, but maybe math is. Or soccer. The way you learn best can be applied as we approach your not-so-favorite subjects! I was pre-med before I was a creative writer. The approach I take to my craft is analytical and scientific. Not necessarily "artsy." Next, we'll take a look at your curriculum and build an action plan that will keep us on track with hitting your goals. What's next? We dive in!!

How can you help a student become an independent learner?

My approach to learning, writing and projects is systematic. I plan to pass that system along to you. We'll breakdown each step, tailor each detail until it fits, and before you know it, you'll be a natural!

How would you help a student stay motivated?

We'll start with the end (goal) in mind and keep it in mind. We'll set short-term goals and milestones along the way.

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

Learning is interactive and reading of any kind is taking in of a story. We will work together to find new ways to discover and understand the story within the text. To put it plainly, I'll ask questions and make suggestions that guide the reader to make the connections required to strengthen reading comprehension.

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

I teach what I love. Genuine enjoyment is always contagious. Additionally, new light bulbs are lit when I work with a student. That in and of itself keeps those I teach engaged.

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

Connecting with students, acknowledging their strengths, how they learn and process new information, and learning what their favorite things are all lead to a successful journey.

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

Before our session is out, I will ask the student to present material back to me in their own words. It is when we can deliver new information in our own way that we have truly digested and internalized it. I also ask along the way if what we're doing is clear and understood. My own learning experience increased plenty when I began asking questions, seeing teachers for extra help, and pointing out anything I didn't understand. Thusly, in my sessions, I frequently check in to make sure we are on the same page!

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

Positive reinforcement goes a long way for all of us. From grade school to executive administration, everyone needs positive reinforcement to stay encouraged and confident.

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

A Notebook, Loose-leaf Paper, Index Cards, Post-Its, Highlighters, Paper Clips!! And plenty of different colors. I find it best to organize concepts with these tools. We might not need all of the above for each project or assignment, though all of these items come in quite handy when a research project is due!

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

I'm a kinesthetic learner. If I write, write, and write it down, I will know it. What kind of learner are you? We'll use that to create new ways of tackling tough subjects. Maybe you're not sure of how you learn best. We'll find out!

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

When we come across a block in a tutoring session, we will take a pause, then turn our attention to what IS best understood about the subject or assignment. We will then work from that foundation to take comprehensive steps toward our goal. A block is simply that: a barrier that calls for a different approach. The more we understand blocks as opportunities to take a step back and change perspectives, the more skillful we become at sidestepping them.