
Rayna
Certified Tutor
Undergraduate Degree: University of Richmond - Current Undergrad, Communications and Media Studies
Graduate Degree: Boston University - Masters, Television Producing/Management
SAT Writing: 780
GRE Verbal: 166
Photography, film, politics, comedy, reading
College English
Comparative Literature
High School English
Homework Support
Other
Study Skills
Study Skills and Organization
Summer
What is your teaching philosophy?
I want students to achieve their personal best and focus on personal improvement. It's important to keep an open dialogue and keep sessions interactive and engaging.
What might you do in a typical first session with a student?
It's important to establish a relationship so that students aren't afraid to ask questions. Playing an icebreaker game and getting to know each other will make all other sessions more productive and successful.
How can you help a student become an independent learner?
Ensuring that learning is fun and engaging is the best way to help a student become an independent learner. All people are naturally curious, so finding a connection between school work and pre-existing interests can help channel that curiosity.
How would you help a student stay motivated?
Setting goals is a great way to motivate students. However, it's key to set those goals together, so the student feels like an active participant in their own learning.
If a student has difficulty learning a skill or concept, what would you do?
If a student is struggling to understand a concept, it's best to try and present it in a different way. Perhaps that means a YouTube video, a diagram, or a demonstration to illustrate the idea differently.
How do you help students who are struggling with reading comprehension?
For reading comprehension, practice makes perfect. I give students passages to read, but provide questions beforehand so they have a guide of what to look for. As they progress, I might ask them to identify themes, motifs or symbols, so they learn to read with greater depth and analysis.