What is your teaching philosophy?

The best learning involves the student, and the best teaching involves making the material come to life.

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

The first session would involve assessing the student and developing the baseline of student knowledge.

How can you help a student become an independent learner?

This would include allowing the student to do the "teaching" and letting them explain the material. Another method would be allowing them to read instructions, get started on the material, and then get involved when necessary.

How would you help a student stay motivated?

Verbal praise is extremely important and helps to boost confidence. Sometimes working for a break or including a visual schedule helps the student see exactly what is coming up and what material will be covered.

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

Pinpointing exactly where the student is having difficulty is the key before mastery takes place. More attention is required on that step or skill before moving forward. A visual aid may be necessary to let the student learn the concept from a different perspective.

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

The first step is to identify what information the student is looking for. Sometimes reading one sentence at a time and then asking, "Does the answer the question?" helps the student to narrow down needed information. Another key is having the student read one passage and then letting them discuss what the main idea was or what they learned a method of breaking down the material. This would prevent the student from being overwhelmed if they have to read the entire passage.

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

At the beginning of a tutoring session, it is important to outline the objective of that session. It is also helpful to do a review from the previous session to determine what still needs more attention.

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

Mental priming is a great way to prepare the student before learning about a subject they struggle with. For example, saying "We are going to do great" or "We are going to do our best, right?" Maybe incorporating some type of reward the student can earn at the end of that lesson is needed to get the student excited before the instruction. Also, highlighting the student's strengths within that subject can give them confidence.

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

Reviewing before each session helps to see how much the student understands. Having them teach the subject or explain a problem also helps to see if they have mastered the information.

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

Specific verbal praise is the key to boosting confidence. If lower expectations are set at the beginning, and the student succeeds, this will also help build confidence. Then, as they succeed, higher expectations can be set.

How do you evaluate a student's needs?

Asking the student is the first step, as they know exactly what they are struggling with and where they need help. Reviewing test scores can also pinpoint where the student struggles. Also, communicating with the family or even teachers and getting as much input as possible helps the teacher to understand the student better.

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

Each student needs individualized education because each student learns differently. If a certain subject is what the student struggles with, maybe that is the first subject that needs to be taught. They can get it out of the way or maybe it's best to save it towards the end of the session to avoid frustration and increase focus at the beginning of the session for the other subjects that are going to be taught. By trial and error, at times, it can be determined what works best for the student.

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

A whiteboard is helpful. Sometimes, flash cards. Sometimes including movements for phonics improves memory. A mirror can be helpful so the student sees their lip and tongue movements when practicing letter blends or phonographs.