What is your teaching philosophy?

My teaching philosophy is to keep kids engaged by connecting the content with their everyday lives. I think that by keeping kids smiling and interested when they are learning, they will be more successful when applying their knowledge.

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

In a first session, I would spend a few minutes getting to know the students and a few fun things about them. Then I'll ask questions about their learning styles to understand what will work best for them.

How can you help a student become an independent learner?

I believe studying is like sports - practice makes perfect. We will build confidence by practicing together, and then have "scrimmages" where they can try on their own. Then we will return to practice together where we can identify strengths and weaknesses, work on them, and then the student will be ready for the big (independent) game!

How would you help a student stay motivated?

By learning what a student is most interested in and finding a way to connect the subject to that, I believe we can keep students engaged and motivated. (Also by being their biggest cheerleader!)

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

Figure out what is slowing the student down. Sometimes you have to go back to basics, and sometimes you have to ask for help on a different way to present a skill or concept.

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

I love reading comp! I love asking "so what? Why should you care? What does this mean to you?” Usually by placing a student's mind within the reading, we can achieve better understanding. Also, encouraging them to read things outside school is super helpful. If they can find short articles about subjects they are interested in and can articulate what those articles say or argue, we can connect with that!

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

Making them feel comfortable with the learning process. Everyone messes up, so knowing that I'm just here to help and not to judge seems to really help me gain their trust.

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

Again, by connecting it to their own lives. If the connection is too much of a stretch (which it rarely is), there's always reminding them how lucky they are that they get to learn this....and then there's candy!!

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

Having them explain it back to me. Doing practice quiz rounds.

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

With baby steps. If you can do this part, you can totally rock this other part. When they master step 1, remind them what a rock star they are and how awesome and helpful that will be for step 2.

How do you evaluate a student's needs?

By asking them, observing them, and comparing the two.

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

Each student is different, so I try to focus my energy to a level that more closely matches theirs.

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

Real live pencil and paper. There's nothing like actually writing things down! And again...maybe some candy. ;)