What is your teaching philosophy?

My philosophy to teaching is to reach out to students who are struggling and bring them to a point where their learning is important to them. Learning should be enjoyable to teach. When teaching, I use technology as often as possible, and give a variety of ways to learn new concepts.

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

I would definitely spend a few minutes warming up and getting to know them better. I would find out their interests, strengths and incorporate those in their lessons.

How can you help a student become an independent learner?

I provide guided practice, independent practice and encourage the student to show me their learned knowledge by having them reteach the skill to me.

How would you help a student stay motivated?

I would try various techniques and models for them to use. I would emphasize their strengths and help them overcome their weaknesses.

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

With reading comprehension, it's best to get material that interest the student. Shared reading and reading aloud is very beneficial to reading comprehension. I like to ask questions as we read and make predictions. I also like to connect the student to the reading topic, and bring them into the reading process. I also help them with making inferences.

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

Getting to know the student, their interests, background, and why they are struggling.

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

I would make the lesson fun and interesting to the student. I would get them involved with their learning and help them to be successful.

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

Formal assessments, feedback, independent practice, and discussions.

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

Get to know what the student's strengths are, and build up on those while assisting them with their weaknesses.

How do you evaluate a student's needs?

Depending on the subject, you can start with the basics to see if they have mastered them. Then assess them on grade level with informal tests/quizzes.

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

I try to make the student feel important, just as their learning is important. I want to know what they can do, and then encourage them to overcome any fears of learning new concepts. Then we begin to achieve those new skills as a team.

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

It would depend on the areas of tutoring needs as to what resources I would use. Charts, flashcards, manipulatives, Internet resources, books, audio materials, and numerous teaching editions for all kinds of materials are available to me as well.