Laura
Certified Tutor
Undergraduate Degree: Univeristy of Phoenix - Bachelors, BS/BA
Graduate Degree: University of Phoenix - Masters, MBA eBusiness
Crafting, knitting, writing and outdoor water activities
Business
Business Analytics
Business Calculus
CLEP Prep
CLEP Principles of Microeconomics
College Accounting
College Economics
Cost Accounting
Econometrics
High School Accounting
High School Business
Intermediate Accounting
Macroeconomics
Management
Managerial Accounting
Microsoft Excel
Other
Productivity
Study Skills
Study Skills and Organization
Technology and Coding
How would you help a student stay motivated?
Simple, keep the milestones at the forefront of their lessons. Even if they get the answer wrong, there may be part of the process that was approached correctly, and I focus on that.
If a student has difficulty learning a skill or concept, what would you do?
Find another approach. There are so many different ways to teach one topic. I will just find another way to explain it.
How do you help students who are struggling with reading comprehension?
One trick is to teach them to visualize. One big reason students do not do well in reading comprehension is they do not relate to what they are reading. By teaching them to visualize, they have a much better chance at remembering the content.
What strategies have you found to be most successful when you start to work with a student?
Letting the student feel more in control of the lessons. I find that this empowers them, and they are more engaged in the process.
How would you help a student get excited/engaged with a subject that they are struggling in?
I relate the topic to what they are interested in. Many are not too thrilled with a topic because they do not see a connection to their lives. I pull their likes into the subject.
What techniques would you use to be sure that a student understands the material?
I often will end a session with the student reviewing the lesson for me. I have them tell me how to do a problem. Teaching is a wonderful reinforcement tool.
How do you build a student's confidence in a subject?
By focusing on their strengths and showing them how to use that to their advantage. Every student has a strength and often do not know it exists.
How do you evaluate a student's needs?
Various ways: Simply seeing them work a problem, having them explain to me how to solve the problem or just gauging their approach to the problem.
How do you adapt your tutoring to the student's needs?
I really keep an eye on the student. I can tell pretty quickly if they are bored or not engaged. I change the pace or even the topic to distract them from their boredom. I also determine early in my sessions what their learning style is (visual, auditory, combination etc). I capitalize on their learning style.
What types of materials do you typically use during a tutoring session?
I use various methods, depending on the subject. I use everything from slideshows to crayons (yes, even high school students like crayons). Whatever I think will bring the most interest from the student. I also never do the same thing. I switch it up to keep them curious as to what I will do next.
What is your teaching philosophy?
I believe that every student is unique, and their learning style is just as unique. I really believe in structuring lessons around the individual.
What might you do in a typical first session with a student?
First I introduce myself, and then get to know the student. This is where I figure out their learning style, their likes and dislikes and what some of their biggest concerns are.
How can you help a student become an independent learner?
I also teach the student much more than just the lesson. I teach them how to be resourceful, how to remember things and even how to take a test. I give the student more than a lesson on the topic; I give them skills for life.