What is your teaching philosophy?

Learning occurs when a student is in a safe, comfortable environment where they feel respected and engaged. As a teacher, I pride myself on ensuring that every student in my classroom feels like they have a voice, and that their voice is important. A student should never feel ashamed or afraid to express their opinion. When I teach, I start with a passionate approach to the material. I love Language Arts and strive to garner as much knowledge about the material as I can so that I can present true and credible information to my students. I then determine the most exciting way to convey the material so that each student is engaged. I learn as much as I can about the student.

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

Get to know them- what their interests are, what they hope to do professionally, what they need help with, and what their goals are for the area in which they need help. Then get to work helping them achieve those goals.

How can you help a student become an independent learner?

I can give a student tools and devices they can use when they are on their own to master the content.

How would you help a student stay motivated?

I would make the information as fun as possible and help the student maintain an eye on their goal.

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

I would answer as many questions they have and figure out a way to help them grasp the concept.

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

We can work on vocabulary and learning how the words work in a sentence.

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

Getting to know that student's strengths and areas that need improvement as well as their goals for the improvement, so that I can tailor the help to their goals.

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

I would find a way to relate it to something they are passionate about or want to learn.

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

Vocab lists, short written response, analyzing homework, discussion, etc.

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

By building skills and then showing them that they can do the work once they know how to approach it.

How do you evaluate a student's needs?

I would like to see some of their work and hear them explain to me what it is they think they need improvement in.

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

I find their areas that need improving and then I tailor the lessons to those areas.

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

Class materials, paper, pens, and visuals if needed.