What is your teaching philosophy?

We're all contributors. I learn from students as much as they learn from me.

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

The first session is a great opportunity to learn more about the student and the problem we're working to solve together.

How can you help a student become an independent learner?

I use the "teach the teacher" approach. It provides the student the opportunity to teach me what they have learned or plan to know more about before our next session.

How would you help a student stay motivated?

I like to find out the positive motivators very early in our sessions together. Some students are motivated by competition, and others by a reward system. I try to incorporate a plan that keeps the student engaged with the work, but also keeps us committed to the task at hand.

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

I would try to connect the skill or concept with something we use in real life. In the past, that has helped both students and myself retain formulas and other methodologies.

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

It's all about pace and interest. For students who are challenged by reading comprehension, I like to share helpful tools to use both in and out of our sessions. I believe all students can achieve their academic goals. With the right environment and focus, success is attainable.

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

1. Proper Planning - We'll talk about the goal and make a plan accomplishing milestones in future sessions. 2. Collaboration - This is a two-way approach. I believe in working together to achieve the student's academic goal(s) 3. Assessment - Quizzes help recap and build confidence in knowing the material.

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

Real Life... Real World... examples. Even if the subject is not your favorite, we can find a way to make it more engaging. Do you remember your "Make a Volcano" experience in elementary school? That was a fun project that laid the groundwork to future careers in Chemistry. Learning can be fun, even if for now it's a subject you aren't that excited about.

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

Inquiry-based learning is a teaching method that focuses on student investigation and hands-on learning. In this method, my primary role is that of a facilitator, providing guidance and support for students through the learning process. The student plays an active and participatory role in their own learning process.

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

1. Offer LOTS OF praise and acknowledge students' accomplishments. 2. Create space for self-evaluation before offering feedback 3. Set attainable goals from the start of the session. 4. Give students the opportunity to choose what they learn. Ultimately they are the expert and captain of this learning journey.