What is your teaching philosophy?

Everyone learns in a little bit different way, and we all learn at different speeds. As a teacher, my job is to help coach you to find those individual ways to succeed and learn from the mistakes that are made in that exploration process.

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

I want to get to know the student: their needs, their successes and failures, and their basis of knowledge. Once I know this, we can begin to prepare for whatever it is the student is trying to improve upon.

How can you help a student become an independent learner?

Perfect practice makes perfect. Independent learning is about critical thinking, communication, problem solving, brainstorming, and determination. I always reflect with a student on how they can improve in these core areas to become a more self-directed learner.

How would you help a student stay motivated?

With positive reinforcement and by keeping their eye on the smaller and larger goals they have set for themselves. It is encouraging to remember that education is only going to be more important to future success. When we think about that, it can help us push through the struggles we have.

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

I'd look at it from a different perspective. There is always more than one way to learn a new concept.

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

I try to relate the material to their experiences in some new way.

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

The only thing I have found to not be successful is giving up. Past that, everyone learns in their own way, so trying new strategies is a great way to expand thinking processes beyond what we traditionally do.

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

I'd show them why it is important to their future success. As long as the student has an open mind, we can make progress and find a connection.

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

I'd use various assessments, be it verbal or written. I try to avoid multiple choice because it is so finite. I love to work with students on their writing and their argumentation, because the communication and logical thinking required are skills needed for the 21st century worker.

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

I remind them we all fail, that failure is good, and that we learn best from it when we can find why the mistake was made. Then, I'd help the student not make the mistake again.

How do you evaluate a student's needs?

First, and simply, by asking them, and then helping them practice critical thinking in the process. Then, by assessing their knowledge and skill level early and throughout the coaching process.

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

By being flexible from day one. I don't go into teaching with an expectation of anything besides that the student will work hard. Everything else is fair game for how to work together to improve.

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

Primary and secondary source readings, videos, podcasts, charts, graphs, and images. Anything we need to get the information to the student in a way that allows them to be successful.