What is your teaching philosophy?

I believe all children have the ability to learn. It is important for children to ask questions and seek answers to make their own meanings about their learning and the world around them. They should be actively involved in their education. I also believe it is important for teachers to be sensitive to the needs of the child and be able to adjust to meet these needs, because all children learn differently and at different capacities.

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

In a typical first session with a student I would try to get to know the student so that I can use teaching strategies that best fit the student's learning needs. I would also try to find out what the student's interests are because their performance would be better when they feel they are able to complete tasks related to their particular interests.

How can you help a student become an independent learner?

I believe I can help a student become an independent learner by striving to enhance their self-efficacy. This can be attained when the student is given opportunities to have a say in what and how they learn.

How would you help a student stay motivated?

To help a student stay motivated I would provide engaging, hands-on learning experiences related to the student's interests.

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

If a student has difficulty learning a skill or concept, I would ask them to share what they already know about the skill and continue to work through it together until they feel confident they have understanding of the skill. I love to use games to motivate students when working through difficult concepts, because games are fun and help students grasp the skill, even if they don't realize it at the time they are playing the game.

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

To help students who struggle with reading comprehension I like to have them read and re-read. I believe students become better readers when they are confident in the way they read. I strongly agree with having students go back and look in the passage or story for the answer to comprehension questions, especially if the passage is still available to them.