What is your teaching philosophy?

I believe students learn best when they discover for themselves the answer and have their view of the world expanded even if it’s just a bit larger. I believe teachers should act as guides helping students inquire into the world and construct their own knowledge. Lastly, every student has the right and capability to learn, but we do learn in different ways for which the teacher needs to meet.

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

In a typical first session I would try to get to know the student, assess their background knowledge, and develop together a systematic plan of attack. I think it’s very important to first understand where a student is coming from before trying to help them get to where they want to go.

How can you help a student become an independent learner?

I can help students become an independent learner by creating the opportunity for them to construct their own knowledge from their background, resources, and experiences.

How would you help a student stay motivated?

Students need motivation to stay focused and keep working hard as they master a subject. To help students stay motivated I think it is important to set short-term attainable goals for the student, so that the student can see and be motivated by achieving success.

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

If I student was having difficulty with a subject, I would assess the student about the content in order to identify specific areas of weakness that can be further targeted. Additionally, I would try to teach and present the material in a variety of formats trying to match that student's learning style.

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

To engage a student I would show them how the subject applies to real life, and help create meaning in order to motivate them.

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

I would use a variety of assessments both formally and informally to determine students' understanding. This may be a verbal check of comprehension or short multiple choice “quizzes" on the subject.

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

I believe student confidence is built through making small gains of success. When students first work to master a concept, then can apply it to real-world scenarios. Confidence is built through small wins.