What is your teaching philosophy?

I believe the teacher's role is to facilitate the learning by providing expertise in a particular content. Nonetheless I also believe students come with a lot of knowledge of their own, and as teachers we must provide a space for them to feel competent about that knowledge. I also believe all kids should, and are capable of, learning.

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

I would introduce myself and provide them with an opportunity to introduce themselves. I would also want to know about strengths and challenges they face as learners through some sort of survey.

How can you help a student become an independent learner?

By providing them with certain skills that will allow them to work with whatever material they encounter on their own. I would also constantly encourage them so they can see that they are able to be independent learners.

How would you help a student stay motivated?

By encouraging them and providing them skills necessary so they feel they can be successful with the content. I would also provide rationale as to why the content matters in order to invest them in it.

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

Provide multiple examples they can connect to it to in order to make it more accessible.

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

By providing them with strategies on how to keep track of what is happening in a text. Also providing vocabulary support so they can have access to the text.

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

Definitely helping them feel successful in the subject by ensuring they have a chance to start by doing really well in something related to it. Then finding texts that are interesting to students and equipping them with the skills to do the work on their own.

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

Asking questions that require understanding of the material. Providing them with an opportunity to write an explanation to their answers to see their thinking.

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

Through encouragement but also highlighting moments when they are doing very well, while addressing moments as opportunities to continue growing.

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

Getting to know them and the things they like so that I can incorporate them in my teaching.