Gayle
Certified Tutor
Undergraduate Degree: Hamline University - Bachelors, Mathematics
Graduate Degree: Allegheny College - Masters, Education
swimming, knitting, walking the dog, sewing, parenting,....and more
COMPASS Mathematics
Elementary School Math
What is your teaching philosophy?
My philosophy about teaching is to ask questions, wait and listen to the answer. You are your best teacher. Teaching students how they learn best and having them re-teach to me is a great philosophy for one-on-one interactions.
What might you do in a typical first session with a student?
In a first session, I will ask questions and listen to the answers. Why am I here? What do you hope to learn or get better at? Do you have a grade goal? Then, let's get messy with some homework assignments and supplemental materials.
How can you help a student become an independent learner?
I ask students a lot of questions. This helps me and my student define his/her motivations. We can discover the best way to learn, and then a student becomes more independent.
How would you help a student stay motivated?
Setting short term goals and then checking on our progress is a great way to stay motivated. Looking at academic skills and completing all the homework and getting it turned in on time might be goals that can be assessed every 2 weeks.
If a student has difficulty learning a skill or concept, what would you do?
I'd slow down, ask questions, draw pictures, get some manipulatives, sometimes leave it alone if possible and come back later.