What is your teaching philosophy?

My philosophy is that all students can learn no matter where they come from or what their current education level is.

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

A typical first session would involve 5-10 minutes of getting to know one another, and then I would give an assessment to see where the student is academically.

How can you help a student become an independent learner?

I can help a student become an independent learner by making the lessons fun and interesting. Students want to continue learning on their own if they enjoy the subject!

How would you help a student stay motivated?

I would help a student stay motivated by encouraging him or her. Learning can be challenging, but I always make sure the questions I am asking are broken down into manageable pieces that will lead the student to success.

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

If a student faces challenges, I back up and ask an easier question. I then lead up to the harder question until the student understands it. If the student still doesn't understand, I will explain the answer to the student, ask him or her to repeat it, and quiz him or her on it later.

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

For students who struggle with reading comprehension, I first make sure we read together. Sometimes comprehension is lost because the student doesn't know a word. Then, I ask questions frequently throughout the story so that by the time we are finished, I can ask challenging questions that will be easier to answer.

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

The most important strategies I use are read aloud, stop-and-jot, and open-ended questions. I make sure the questions are broken down and that they are able to relate to the questions. I also make sure that some questions are based on opinion and some are rooted in facts.

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

I would keep a student engaged by reading or writing about something he or she is interested in. For example, if a student enjoys watching football, we would read a text about football. Overtime we would read harder texts, but getting the student hooked is the first step.

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

I always use the technique of asking questions that lead to more questions. I try my best to refrain from giving any answers at all so that the student can critically think. I would then have the student complete an assessment or teach me the subject.

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

I build student confidence by always staying positive! Learning is scary because no one likes to fail. I never make my students feel like failures, even if they get an answer wrong. I encourage them to think differently until we get there!

How do you evaluate a student's needs?

I evaluate needs by giving assessments. This may be a formal test or quiz, an informal exit ticket, or a few questions throughout the lesson.

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

I adapt my tutoring by making the questions easier or harder based on the student's needs. It is important to make sure that all students grow, but all students start from a different platform. It is important to figure out where a student currently is and make sure he or she grows after each lesson.

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

I typically use paper, pen, books, and computers during my sessions (depending on the age). For younger students, I have puppets and flashcards. For older students, I like to use technology so that I can help prepare them for college.