What is your teaching philosophy?

After being in the classroom for 6 years, I have adopted a project-based learning approach. Students are challenged through real-life applications with a literacy 2.0 view on what it means to be a citizen in today's world. This means all students are challenged at a level appropriate for them, all students are making social and academic growth, and all students are part of an interdependent learning community.

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

Depending on the time given and the information given on a student, the first session would be used to get to know the student as well as gather data. The goal would be to make sure the student is comfortable asking questions and seeking help. I also want to determine what the student needs most help with according to norm referenced data as well as what perceived issues might be. I would also like to find student’s interests, either through conversation or a survey, to try and tie those in whenever possible to keep the student interested and engaged.

How can you help a student become an independent learner?

As a classroom teacher of middle school students, this is something I've had experience with and is a key skill we work on before students transition to the next level. I directly teach how to use our resources, how to break a problem down into manageable steps, as well as perseverance.

How would you help a student stay motivated?

All of my success has come from the relationships I have built with my students, and a tutor role would be no different. I would tie weak academic areas into student interests, as well as show how specific skills are applicable in the real world, to show students the importance of what they're learning.

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

I break it down into the smallest part of the skill and build from what they have mastered. For example, long division involves many steps. I look at exactly where the mistakes are happening and scale it back. I start with a part they have mastered so students realize it is something they can master with practice and perseverance.

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

Many of the skills I use to help aid in reading comprehension are taken from reading programs. This involves working on retelling, summarizing, illustrating, annotating text, etc.

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

The most successful strategies I have found when working with a student is to build a relationship. This allows the students to get comfortable, and also motivates them when they know someone is working for them and cares about them. It also lets me pull in interests unique to that student. Lastly, it allows me to hone in one specific weakness to work on, with targeted interventions.

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

I would bring in real-life applications as well as tie in whatever their learning style is.

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

I would constantly be collecting data, as well as using formative assessments to help guide intervention as well as ensure concept mastery.

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

I think the best way to build confidence is to help students learn to be independent learners in small, attainable steps. I also think it's important to start where a student can be successful so they don't shut down, and celebrate each victory along the way.

How do you evaluate a student's needs?

I evaluate student's needs through conversations with the student themselves, data analysis, as well as parent input.

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

I would adapt my tutoring style based on what the student needs as well as their personality. All of this comes from knowing the student and knowing what sort of feedback they respond best to.

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

During a tutoring session, I would tailor my resources to what the student is used to using in their main academic setting. I would bring in other resources to help bring students up to mastery, but the end goal is to get them successful in whatever environment they need to be able to perform in.