What is your teaching philosophy?

I believe that every child has the ability to reach their potential. For students to succeed, they must have a teacher who is willing to meet them where they are. This is what I do. I help students use their strengths to overcome their weaknesses. I believe that teachers should provide students with opportunities to learn about areas that interest them, as well exploring topics outside of their culture. In everything that I teach, it is with high hopes that students become more culturally and globally responsive citizens.

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

Typically, I would complete an inventory to identify the student's learning style. I would also have a conversation regarding what the student would expect from me by the end of our sessions.

How can you help a student become an independent learner?

I can help students become independent learners by teaching them how to use tools and strategies that will help them in the learning process. Students will also become independent learners by being able to make self-to-content connections with the work that is being studied.

How would you help a student stay motivated?

During the first session, I would have the student to set a goal. We would revisit that goal and the progress that is being made toward the goal each session. I believe that both intrinsic and extrinsic motivation is key.

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

If a student is experiencing difficulty in an area, we will have to reevaluate where the student is having a lapse in learning. This may call for a new strategy to be implemented to help the student succeed.

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

First, I would conduct a test to determine the student's current Lexile level. From there I would focus on which specific areas of reading comprehension that the student is struggling with. After that, we should be able to develop strategies to help the student.

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

Relationship-building is pertinent for the student to trust that the teacher has his/her best interest at heart. In building this trust, I make sure that students know that we are going to work together in pulling their strengths to overcome their weaknesses.

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

The best way to get a student engaged with a subject that they are struggling in is to help the students make personal connections to the subject. Students find daily applicability in what they are learning in order to be fully invested.

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

Providing students strategies that are acronyms have proven successful with the students in the past.

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

I would build a student's confidence in a subject by helping the student to make a connection between the subject area and their life goal(s).

How do you evaluate a student's needs?

I evaluate a student's need through one-on-one discussions, pre-assessments, and formal assessments.

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

Effective teaching (tutoring) is all about meeting a student where he/she is. I survey and observe the student to determine what type of learner they are and modify my approach accordingly.

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

Handouts, visuals, and flashcards. It all depends on the content area and the need in the session.