What is your teaching philosophy?

As an educator, parent, and adult I feel that it is our responsibility to provide the most adequate opportunity for success in children. In the classroom it is the obligation of the teacher to provide efficient instruction to their students and possess the ability to reach each student that they encounter. An educator should not be cemented into one style of teaching because they will experience more than one style of student. Our children come to us from a variety of backgrounds that we have to corral in order for them to comprehend the content. If we find ourselves fixated on one method of teaching we will be doing a disservice to many of our students. We are not only here to provide academic achievement but to also prepare students for a successful path through their lives. When teachers appropriately display structure and routine in their classroom, it is giving the student a glimpse of the expectations of society. We are now experiencing a generation that has slowly begun to lose its sense of values and morals. Since we as teachers see most of our students more than they see their own families it is our duty to offer them the best life strategies possible. As educators we must remember that these students will one day become adults and be the ones who are fueling our economy. If we do not equip them with the academic and behavioral knowledge needed for success they will then carry that deficiency into the real world.

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

This first thing I would do is introduce myself and try to learn as much as possible about the student. I would spend 5 minutes or so just speaking in general (non-academic) with the student. I have learned that sometimes learning is better if it can be related directly to your life. Hence the reason it is important to know you personally as well academically.

How can you help a student become an independent learner?

Once the concept has been taught allow them time to do some independent practice. The more practice that is done creates less need to offer assistance. I encourage students to always try all options that they can think of to solve a problem before they pursue help.

How would you help a student stay motivated?

Once again I believe that relating learning to their environment can always promote motivation. This gives the opportunity to that the educational skills they are gaining can be used in their everyday life. Also, as an educator you must learn a variety of ways to present information to students so they aren't stuck in a mundane routine. Learning should always be fun and the only way to do that is to mix it up a little.

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

The best strategy would be to let them walk me through their thinking process as they are answering a question. Many times there is just one step or process that isn't understood that hinders complete comprehension.

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

If a student is going to successfully comprehend literature they must first understand the parts of writing. Elements such as characters, setting, plot, & conflict/resolution can give better insight to what is happening in many stories. If all else fails I would help the student create a graphic organizer. This would allow them to break the story into the different pieces and place them in their appropriate places.

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

My primary advice to students when studying is to relax. I find that so many students struggle because they are questioning their knowledge. I always tell students to find an environment that is work compatible but also comfortable. I also try to encourage them to create their study material, such as flashcards or mnemonics. This will allow them to put the information in terms they understand. This helps to retain information because the student is reviewing the content as they create their supporting materials.

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

The best way to get them engaged is to find a way to relate the subject matter to their personal life. This is why, when working with students, I feel it is extremely imperative to get to know them as an individual. By bringing familiarity to learning they can then begin valuing the importance.

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

My techniques would definitely be different regarding the student and subject matter. I have always been a big fan of flashcards as study materials. These typically speak to any grade level and content area. Aside from those, I would use review assessments and random quizzes to assure that the information is gained.

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

The biggest confidence builder is to encourage them in a positive manner. Even if the student is getting the wrong answer, I try to find positive things they may have used to come to their conclusion. So many times educators, professional and casual, only compliment the student when they are correct, but fuss and show frustration when they're wrong. If a student is trying to learn something new, they have to understand that it is a process. As long as they continue to work, they will see it through.

How do you evaluate a student's needs?

The best way to assess needs is to give a pretest in the needed subject. This will initially identify areas where clarity isn't present.

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

The best way to adapt is to learn the student. There are many students who don't function well through lectures, but by actually getting hands on with learning. The more you talk with the student and find out what type of person they are, you gain insight on how they think and process information.

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

I use pre-tests and post-tests to gauge our starting points and progress. Personally, I am a kinesthetic learner and love to use hands-on materials. Many of the students I work with tend to also enjoy this type of learning, because it takes the information out of the book and put it into reality.