What is your teaching philosophy?

My teaching philosophy is to meet students where they are. Build on strengths and improve the areas of need to make them strengths.

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

Spend a little bit of time getting to know one another.

How can you help a student become an independent learner?

I can help a student become an independent learner by having them practice, practice, and practice.

How would you help a student stay motivated?

I would keep the student motivated by making each session relevant and worth their time.

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

When a student faces difficulty, we would work through it by discussing what is causing the difficulty, trying a new way of presenting the material, and trying a new strategy. We will keep working until the student gets it!

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

The best way to help students who are struggling with reading comprehension is to practice reading!

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

The strategies that are the most successful are the ones that work for that particular student. It can be different for every person because we each have our own learning styles.

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

I would help a student get engaged with a subject that they are struggling in by being enthusiastic, positive, and starting small. Chunking the material so the student is successful, and then building upon that success.

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

I would make sure the student understands by discussing the topic together, using assessments to gauge progress, and discussing both correct and incorrect answers. I want to hear their thought process so that I know if they truly understand the material.

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

Building confidence in a subject starts by creating situations where the student feels successful. So, I would start by teaching to the level of that particular student, making sure they understood and felt success, and then building on that success to increase the difficulty of the material.

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

Adapting to my student's needs is one of my strengths. If different material is needed, then I use that. If I have to try a different approach, then I do. I need to make sure that I am meeting the needs of my students!

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

The materials I use are relevant for the subject that I am tutoring. So, if we are studying for the ACT, then I have ACT exercises or prep books. If the student has material from school that they need help with, then we use that.

How do you evaluate a student's needs?

I evaluate my student's needs by first having a discussion of what they want or need. Then, I use pre-tests to measure skills when appropriate.