Kalyna
Certified Tutor
Undergraduate Degree: University of Mary Washington - Bachelors, English: Creative Writing
Reading, writing, theatre, acting, comedy, film, fitness, arts and crafts, hiking, cooking
American Literature
College English
College Level American Literature
Elementary School Math
Elementary School Reading
Elementary School Writing
High School English
High School Level American Literature
High School Writing
Middle School Reading
Middle School Reading Comprehension
Middle School Writing
What is your teaching philosophy?
My teaching philosophy is to motivate students to follow their passions and to learn how to tie together all subjects in tangible life situations.
What might you do in a typical first session with a student?
Typically, I like to spend the first session getting to know the student: asking about hobbies and interests, and then tackling what they feel are strengths and weaknesses on a particular subject. In this way, we can look at material during that session and begin the journey of learning at their pace and on a level where they can use positive reinforcements to help grasp a myriad of concepts.
How can you help a student become an independent learner?
To help a student become an independent learner, it is useful to outline a structure of learning time, let them explore and discover, and then come back together to discuss the outcome. Similar to a coach helping during practice, then letting the team play to the best of their ability and discussing the outcome at the end of the game.
How would you help a student stay motivated?
Helping a student stay motivated is a team effort. Applying preventive strategies and keeping up my teaching enthusiasm/energy will help set a constant example of learning being fun, rather than totally awful and boring.
If a student has difficulty learning a skill or concept, what would you do?
Students can often have difficulty learning a new skill or concept - hence the reason I am here to help. In these situations, it's best to stay calm and find the ignition to a student's motivation. Putting the concept in a frame of context familiar to the student can assist in their being willing to obtain knowledge.
How do you help students who are struggling with reading comprehension?
Students struggling with reading comprehension often need assistance with active listening and vocabulary. Slowing down a lesson to accommodate for this, and then re-reading the material can help with the comprehension process.
What strategies have you found to be most successful when you start to work with a student?
Starting to work with a student employs one similar strategy, which is attempting to pair yourself as a reinforcement. Tutoring might be viewed as "extra work" or "strenuous" from the student's perspective. So, showing them that you can be positive and that learning with you will be fun is always important to set out at the beginning.
How would you help a student get excited/engaged with a subject that they are struggling in?
Students can find more excitement in a subject when it is framed by a context that is more enjoyable. For instance, if a student is on the lacrosse team and is struggling in math (read: any subject), they may find it easier to grasp certain concepts when explained using lacrosse terminology.
What techniques would you use to be sure that a student understands the material?
Fill in the blank or oral questions usually do the trick.
How do you build a student's confidence in a subject?
The most successful way I've been able to build a student's confidence is by using positive reinforcement as according to the Applied Behavior Analysis theory.
How do you evaluate a student's needs?
We can evaluate a student's needs by asking them directly about their personal perspective on their ability to learn, as well as analyzing physical evidence (past quizzes or tests, effort shown in level of completion on homework, and other assignments).
How do you adapt your tutoring to the student's needs?
In order to adapt my tutoring to the student's needs, I first try to pair myself as a positive person in their life and let them steer the session, so the environment remains relaxed and always done with the intention that we finish critical work first, yet in the order that they feel comfortable working.
What types of materials do you typically use during a tutoring session?
Materials used during sessions truly depends on the student and the subject. For reading, teaching how to highlight and take paper notes; for math, manipulatives, acronyms, and "tricks;" for science, drawings and similes are great...truly it takes time to employ different efforts tailored to the student's responses and motivations.