What is your teaching philosophy?

My teaching philosophy is that every person and student is capable of learning. My job as a tutor and teacher is to build confidence while assessing a student's strengths and weaknesses. Using this knowledge, I can then create a plan with student input as to how to improve skills and knowledge in the subject area in which the student is struggling.

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

I would spend a little time getting to know the student. I would then assess the student's knowledge by asking specific questions related to the student's challenges and strengths.

How can you help a student become an independent learner?

Often students develop a desire to learn independently after they are shown that they are capable of learning and develop more confidence in the area they are struggling. I have seen this both as a full-time teacher and tutor. Additionally, providing students with learning tools to overcome challenges helps create independent learners.

How would you help a student stay motivated?

I would help a student stay motivated by introducing new material, as well as new tools for learning. Getting a student excited and connecting knowledge to the student's everyday life also assists in sustaining motivation.

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

Through assessing the student's learning methods; whether that be verbal, written, visually or orally. I would then be able to come up with a way to help a student having difficulty learning a skill or concept.

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

In my experience, problems with reading comprehension derive from problems with reading fluency. Often, by first addressing reading fluency, reading comprehension develops. Moreover, reading comprehension problems sometimes are related to issues with vocabulary. I have a trove of tools for addressing vocabulary. Finally, in my experience, students with reading comprehension challenges often need different ways of approaching a text. I can assist students by providing them with different methods of approaching the text.

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

As I stated in a previous answer, building a student's confidence in a subject area can go a long way in increasing their ability to be successful. I have found that building or shaping a student's confidence at the beginning of our work together helps a student's success. Furthermore, making a connection with a student is imperative to success.

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

One of the ways I would help a student get excited/engaged with a subject in which they are struggling is by introducing engaging material, or adapting material to the student's learning style. Moreover, I would connect the material to the student's everyday life and experiences.

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

In order to make sure a student understands the material, I might assess them orally or through creating a written assessment.

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

I would build a student's confidence in a subject by helping them see their strengths in the area, and then further building upon these strengths.

How do you evaluate a student's needs?

I evaluate a student's needs through both formal and informal assessment.

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

I adapt my tutoring to each student's needs by analyzing their specific strengths and weaknesses as well as their areas of interest and educational goals.

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

The type of materials I typically use really depends on the subject area and needs of the student. I may use online resources, pictures, music, manipulatives or other materials that are appropriate.