What is your teaching philosophy?

I believe that all students can learn given the proper time, training, tutoring, and support.

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

I would first ask what areas the student needs assistance in and create a plan of action to address those specific needs. Then we would begin with the most important or critical areas of concern and work from there.

How can you help a student become an independent learner?

Students become independent learners when they are responsible for acquisition of learning at their own pace. When answers are given to them then they become dependent, but when the knowledge is sought and discovered, they become the teacher and are able to facilitate their learning.

How would you help a student stay motivated?

A student is best motivated intrinsically. When the student sees the value and relevance of a topic or assignment, they are more inclined to place value on that work. I would remind them to stay focused on the end result.

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

I would reteach them and find a different approach to the skill or concept such as direct teaching, collaborative learning, or self-discovery.

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

Students who struggle with reading need exposure to reading and many times that comes in the form of picking reading materials that are interesting to the reader. Once they get accustomed to reading a topic of interest they can refine those skills and apply those skills to different genres.

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

What I find most successful is to identify the weaknesses and areas of strengths and then develop a plan of action. I also like to find out what the goals are so that we know what we are working towards.

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

Offering encouragement and building the confidence of the student is important to establish the relationship between the student and tutor. Celebrating small successes will lead to excitement and engagement in the future.

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

Formative and summative assessments intermittently throughout the tutoring cycle are excellent ways to gauge and check for understanding. These can be formal or informal.

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

I allow the student the opportunity to show progress and see the growth in their learning. Once they see small accomplishments their confidence grows.

How do you evaluate a student's needs?

I conduct an informal diagnosis through a test or writing sample. I also ask questions and use all of the information to get a holistic view of the student.

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

I see what the student needs and then tailor my tutoring style to best meet the needs of that individual.

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

I use what the student has, my own resources from the classroom, internet resources and whatever else I deem necessary.