What is your teaching philosophy?

I believe that all children can learn. Children must be exposed to methods of learning and thinking to discover the intelligence that I believe is in every child, which ultimately makes children better decision makers and contributors of society. I believe this is what makes great doctors, lawyers, teachers, astronauts, architects, presidents, etc. An appropriate analogy of this method would be a baby bird born with wings to fly, but not actually flying until they have been challenged and shown to do what they were innately created to do. Having a connection with students, being able to communicate with them on their level, understanding how they learn individually, establishing clear boundaries, and providing experiences to maximize learning are important to me as a teacher.

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

The student and I would spend the first few minutes briefly getting to know one another. I would ask the student some questions and have them complete some fun activities pertaining to the subject they are receiving help with. This will allow me to assess where the student is without overwhelming them.

How can you help a student become an independent learner?

There are 4 main strategies I prefer to use when helping a student become an independent learner. The first strategy is asking questions as a form of scaffolding. The second strategy is modeling behaviors or a process. The third strategy is providing oral and written feedback to help increase a student's confidence while promoting independence. The fourth strategy is providing a student with opportunities to self-monitor their work and progress.

How would you help a student stay motivated?

I would help a student stay motivated by consistently providing positive and constructive feedback, providing assistance when needed to encourage them, and allowing them to see their progress over time so they can see how far they have come.

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

If a student has difficulty learning a skill or concept, I would try to explain it to them in a way they could understand. For example, for a visual learner, I would provide visuals. For a hands-on learner, I would provide manipulatives or other objects to demonstrate a concept. I would also break down a concept into small segments to provide the student more time to understand the material. I would consider giving the student a small break and focus on a concept they may have already mastered.