Ana
Certified Tutor
Undergraduate Degree: CUNY Hunter College - Bachelors, English
Graduate Degree: Kean University - Current Grad Student, Bilingual Education
I love to cook, paint, and bike ride.
What is your teaching philosophy?
My philosophy on education is to nurture the individual through my teaching and guidance. My goal is to build relationships with the students I tutor so that they will feel comfortable and learn everything they need help with. I look forward to meeting my future students that I will be tutoring!
What might you do in a typical first session with a student?
I would get to know them and tell them about myself. Then I would assess their skills based on what I will be tutoring. Lastly, I would like to meet their parents.
How can you help a student become an independent learner?
By teaching the student what they need to know and allowing them time to work independently, I believe students become independent learners. It is also important to encourage them and not emphasize their mistakes.
How would you help a student stay motivated?
I would help a student stay motivated by offering incentives, such as prizes, free online time or anything that they enjoy. Giving them breaks also motivates them, because it gives their mind a mental break.
If a student has difficulty learning a skill or concept, what would you do?
I would make sure that I fully understand what the difficulty is first. Then I would create an intervention plan to make sure the student learns the skill or concept he or she needs help with.
How do you help students who are struggling with reading comprehension?
I would first assess their reading and comprehension by using a DRA book and assessment. Then I would use strategies such as identifying the difficulty, using graphic organizers, and help them with the story structure, generate questions, and summarize the text.
What strategies have you found to be most successful when you start to work with a student?
If it comes to reading and writing, there are many different strategies. To start, I think giving a time limit on assignments is good so they can manage their time. Secondly, offering incentives for hard work. Then reviewing their progress and celebrating their successes!
How would you help a student get excited/engaged with a subject that they are struggling in?
Again, I would offer incentives such as prizes that they would enjoy. I'd use visual aids and kinesthetic activities to engage the student.
What techniques would you use to be sure that a student understands the material?
Assessing their skills periodically. Questioning them on what they learned to ensure they have learned the concept or skill.
How do you build a student's confidence in a subject?
Showing them how that skill will help them in their future. Encouraging them along the way and celebrating their successes.
How do you evaluate a student's needs?
First I have to assess their skills and then ask them what they feel they need the most help with. Maybe speaking to the parents and/or their school teacher as well to find out what they believe the student's needs are.
How do you adapt your tutoring to the student's needs?
I would give them a learning styles quiz to find out how they learn best, and use activities that are based on their learning styles.
What types of materials do you typically use during a tutoring session?
Depending on the subject I am tutoring, I would bring a workbook, reading book and a laptop to use technology and visual aids in my tutoring.