What is your teaching philosophy?

My teaching philosophy is that all students learn differently, so to support your learning, I need tailor it to the student's style.

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

In a typical fist session I would introduce myself and ask the student to do the same. I have great warm ups and games that will also help the student and I do the same. Then finally I would ask how the student likes to learn and how they think I would help them.

How can you help a student become an independent learner?

I would help a student become an independent learner by using the "I do, you do, we do" model. When working on a problem, I would do an example problem, the student and I would work on one together, and then the student would do the next problem on their own.

How would you help a student stay motivated?

I would help a student stay motivated by making sure they are not overwhelmed and get breaks if necessary, particularly ones that are best suited for them, such as a music break, snack break, dance break, etc. I would also engage them in activities that help foster motivation and positivity.

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

If a student has difficulty learning a concept, I would first ask them where they were confused and practice that skill before moving on. If they are unsure where they have difficulty, then I would go back through the steps and processes and see at which part the student is having difficulties, and practice that skill.

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

For students struggling with reading comprehension, I would first see if their struggle was with vocabulary or fluency, and practice those skills accordingly with either flash cards or reading games that increase their pace in reading.

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

A strategy I find most successful when first working with a student is first providing the session a positive vibe, either by conversation or playing fun warm up games. Also, I find it helpful to work with the right pace for the student and make sure I check in with the student throughout the session to make sure they are understanding what they're learning.

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

To get a student excited about a subject they are struggling in, I would incorporate things that they like in that subject area. For example, if they like football I would use math problems with football examples. If their favorite color is blue, I would try to color coordinate their notes respectively.

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

To make sure the student understands the material, I would have them explain to me the steps they took to answer their questions. Another thing I would do is to have the student teach back what they learned to me so I can see what they understood and if they are misunderstanding the information, partially understanding, or if they fully understand the concept.

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

How I build a student's confidence is by celebrating their wins like getting a good grade on a test, but also by celebrating even their smallest wins, like answering a problem correctly. Also, a lot of positive energy also helps students. So being honest in my happiness of their successes with smiles, high fives, and positive affirmations.

How do you evaluate a student's needs?

I evaluate a student’s needs by following their thought process and seeing where their struggle lies. Are they having problems discerning the questions, do they have right answers but second guess themselves, or are they having trouble doing independent work.

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

I adapt my tutoring to the student's need by making sure I ask the student for feedback so I can know what is and is not working for them and if I need to change my tutoring or try another technique, strategy, or lesson plan.

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

The materials needed in a session depends on a variety of factors. It depends on the subject that's being practiced, the age of the student, and the preferences of that student. However, what usually works with my students are white boards and dry erase markers, flashcards, and a laptop for video purposes for the visual learners.