What is your teaching philosophy?

My teaching philosophy is that I strongly believe that each student has the capability to learn. Using differential instruction to include useful teaching strategies and interventions, encouragement, and support, each child is capable of making progress in their studies.

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

During my first session with the student, I will provide an icebreaker activity to include something fun, witty, and educational. Also, I would love to have the student complete an informal assessment to determine their level of need and determine their area of concern.

How can you help a student become an independent learner?

I can assist a student in becoming an independent learner by providing opportunities to practice skills learned, communicating through the process, and learning independent problem-solving strategies. Also providing positive feedback for skills retained or mastered, or when necessary. Encouragement is the key!!!

How would you help a student stay motivated?

I can assist a student to stay motivated by using a variety of strategies, including an incentive chart, using first/then strategy, and using positive reinforcement. Also incorporating the parents to get involved in activities they can do at home to support the student on his/her learning journey.

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 teach it using different strategies and find the one that the student responds to the most. Also, using data from my informal assessment, I can definitely pinpoint where the gap is occurring and work to bridge the learning gap.

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

I would assist the student in learning decoding skills, inferencing during reading, teach vocabulary concepts, word knowledge, active comprehension strategies, and monitoring.

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

The strategy that I find most successful when I begin working with a student is incorporating some of the things that they enjoy. For example, their favorite book, activities, or an educational game. Whatever it is, using that and turning it into something fun and educational; also giving the student an opportunity to show what they know, in order to boost their confidence.