Nicole
Certified Tutor
Undergraduate Degree: University of North Florida - Current Undergrad, Elementary Education
I love being outdoors and spend a lot of time hiking, kayaking or camping. I love crafting and baking in my free time. I am also a nanny so when I am not tutoring I am caring for the sweet 2 and 3 year old I nanny for.
Elementary School
Elementary School Math
Elementary School Reading
Elementary School Science
Elementary School Writing
ISEE Prep
Middle School Reading
Middle School Reading Comprehension
Other
What might you do in a typical first session with a student?
During my first tutoring session, I prefer to evaluate students and see where they're lacking knowledge or have misconceptions. My next step would be to come up with a plan to help students fill in the gaps and improve their knowledge in the subject area.
How can you help a student become an independent learner?
I will help students become independent learners by modeling how to complete a problem or task first, and then doing it with the student. My next step would be monitoring them completing a similar task on their own.
What is your teaching philosophy?
I personally believe the sole purpose of education is to educate students in order to increase cognitive, emotional, and social development. The priority of education is to educate each child in a way that will better them and our society as a whole. The primary role of the teacher is to educate students in a safe and emotionally supportive environment. I believe that in order to educate students, it is the teacher's job to go out of his or her way to do what is best for the students, and teach according to the class' majority learning style. I believe an emotionally supportive environment created by the teacher is vital in order to get students to absorb information. If a student does not feel safe or comfortable in their learning environment, I believe it will be difficult for the teacher to educate their students. The student's role is to participate and be a part of the classroom as well as do his or her best to learn. I believe the student should play an active role in the classroom and be involved in learning.
How would you help a student stay motivated?
I would help motivate a student by engaging them in the lesson by incorporating things they like to keep their attention. I also find a good way to keep students motivated is by focusing on the positive work they have completed rather than the negative.
If a student has difficulty learning a skill or concept, what would you do?
I would reassess the student and find out what the misconceptions are, and then find a way to overcome them and incorporate a new or different strategy.
How do you help students who are struggling with reading comprehension?
I would help students with reading comprehension by showing them how to use strategies to better understand their reading.
What strategies have you found to be most successful when you start to work with a student?
I have found visuals and hands-on strategies work best when teaching young students. I also believe modeling is important when it comes to teaching younger students.
How would you help a student get excited/engaged with a subject that they are struggling in?
I would help get students excited and engaged by finding new ways that may work for them, instead of old ways, and also by incorporating their interests.
What techniques would you use to be sure that a student understands the material?
I would use informal assessments, such as short response and discussion questions, to evaluate how much information the student has learned.
How do you build a student's confidence in a subject?
I would build the student's confidence by focusing on what the student's strong abilities are in that subject area and praising them for it.
How do you evaluate a student's needs?
I would evaluate needs by assessing any knowledge gaps the student has.
How do you adapt your tutoring to the student's needs?
I would adapt tutoring to the student's needs by finding out what learning strategies work best for the individual.
What types of materials do you typically use during a tutoring session?
I use the student's textbooks and classwork as well as my own manipulative and activities.