What is your teaching philosophy?

I believe that students learn best through modeling, guided practice, and independent practice. I personally believe that students are more successful when they take responsibility for their learning.

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

I would ask a student to describe his/her goals and what he/she hopes to achieve through tutoring. I would also discuss the student's strengths and weaknesses in a particular area so we can improve the weaknesses and challenge the strengths throughout the tutoring sessions.

How can you help a student become an independent learner?

Through modeling and guided practice, students will learn the skills and strategies they need to take responsibility for their own learning by applying those skills and strategies to future assignments and lessons.

How would you help a student stay motivated?

I would have students first identify their strengths and weaknesses to evaluate where they are starting. With each session and assignment, students can monitor their own progress to see how they have improved on certain skills. Positive reinforcement and acknowledging progress and accomplishment can really encourage a student.

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

Every individual has his/her own way of learning. I would reevaluate my own strategies for teaching that particular skill and create a way to explain that same concept in a different way. I would also be sure to continue to model and provide guided practice so a student can understand the process behind completing a particular assignment.