What is your teaching philosophy?

My philosophy is that students all have a potential to grow, and they just need help to find what allows them to attain that growth.

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

A first session allows the student and I to get to know each other. We would talk about strengths and weaknesses, and maybe do some beginning assessments of the areas for tutoring.

How can you help a student become an independent learner?

I believe in asking questions rather than giving answers. I want to help a student build an internal dialogue that helps them to help themselves.

How would you help a student stay motivated?

Students need to have fun to stay motivated. The lessons need to engage them and the students need to feel that they are actually learning and making progress.

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

If a student has difficulty with a concept, it is up to me to find alternate ways of presenting the information until I find one that works for that particular student.

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

I help students develop skills to question what they read and pull out the necessary information. We practice those skills until they become second nature.

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

I've found that students need to feel that I'm there to help them and work with them to help them succeed. We need to have an honest relationship that they can trust what I am trying to do for them.

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

I try to find out what a student's interests are and try to find a way to incorporate that interest into what we are trying to learn. It's more exciting if it ties into what they like to do.

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

I can use tests to assess their understanding. Also, sometimes the best way is to just have them explain it back to me.

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

I take small steps in the learning process so that a student has successes along the way. I also mix in things that they are knowledgeable in with things they are still mastering so not everything is hard.

How do you evaluate a student's needs?

I talk with the student and his/her parents to get their perspectives and insights. I also do some testing to evaluate their level of mastery.

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

I am continually looking at whether or not what I'm doing is working. I also ask the student for feedback. Then I try new approaches if what I'm doing isn't working. It's about continuing to assess myself as well as the student.

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

The materials used will depend on the student and what is needed to help them learn. It could be auditory or visual materials, or it could involve manipulatives. It all depends on what best helps the student learn.