How can you help a student become an independent learner?

I can help a student become an independent learner by supplying them with the tools they will need to be successful.

How would you help a student stay motivated?

A great way to help a student stay motivated is through the use of positive reinforcements. I would discuss with the parents what a good incentive would be to create motivation.

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

If a student is having difficulty with a specific skill or lesson, I would attempt to reteach the lesson using a different approach, whether it means using different learning tools or taking a different approach. A teacher must be flexible for the student's success.

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

Reading comprehension can sometimes seem like a giant mountain for some students. Like a giant mountain, you can only climb it by taking one step at a time. I start with the questions that can be easily be found directly from the text. Then, I can go deeper in to inferring and making predictions. Finally, we can put it all together by summarizing the piece the student is reading.

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

The best way to get a student engaged is by connecting it to a subject that gets them excited. For instance, if a student loves comic books, then use the comic books to apply the reading comprehension strategies.

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

I would complete a pre-assessment or study work recently completed by the student in the area of concern. After I have tutored the student in the area of concern, I would give them a mini post-assessment to determine their mastery of what we have been working on. That way, I can see if I need to offer more support or move on to another area.

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

Every lesson that I teach is custom created for the special student that I am working with. No two kids are alike; therefore, no two lessons are alike.

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

I have used many different materials during a lesson. I have used computers, worksheets, textbooks, manipulatives, and really anything that can grab a student's attention and make them want to engage in the lesson.

What is your teaching philosophy?

My teaching philosophy is do whatever it takes to help a student gain the mastery of their education.

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

During a first lesson, I like to take the time to get to know my student, as well as gain their trust that I am there to help them get better at whatever subject they are struggling in. Then, I complete a pre-assessment, as well as a fun interest survey so that I can prepare materials that they would want to take part in.

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

I have found using materials that match their needs, as well as their interests, keep the student focused and better engaged.

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

I build a student’s confidence by starting with materials that are at a beginner’s level to show them how they grow and improve through the lessons.

How do you evaluate a student's needs?

I evaluate students based on their mastery of the items that I am teaching them. Observing and annotating how a student is processing information can greatly inform a teacher tutor on how to better help a student move further.