Chris
Certified Tutor
Undergraduate Degree: Pacific University - Bachelors, History/psychology
Graduate Degree: University of Portland - Masters, Education
Sports, hiking, fishing, reading, spending time with my family, and travelling
High School Level American History
High School World History
Social Sciences
US Constitutional History
World History
What is your teaching philosophy?
Continue to strive to reach students. Understand there will be obstacles and there will be bad days; however, never give up!
What might you do in a typical first session with a student?
Ask a series of questions necessary to get to know them and their background.
How can you help a student become an independent learner?
I'd pose questions beyond the normal assignment to get them to think outside of the box.
How would you help a student stay motivated?
By communicating with them and continuing to get to know them as a person in the process.
If a student has difficulty learning a skill or concept, what would you do?
I'd find alternative ways of teaching to concept; possibly how the concept relates to other related topics.
How do you help students who are struggling with reading comprehension?
I model reading and then discuss what we just read in "our" terms.
What strategies have you found to be most successful when you start to work with a student?
First, getting to know them. Understand they are a person before they are a student.
How would you help a student get excited/engaged with a subject that they are struggling in?
Present it in a different manner. Instead of just lecturing, I relate it to other events, people, or concepts.
What techniques would you use to be sure that a student understands the material?
A holistic approach, by relating the topic to other topics or events that are similar.
How do you build a student's confidence in a subject?
With positive reinforcement and continuing to coach them along the way. Do not make it all about the learning, but also about them feeling better about themselves.
How do you evaluate a student's needs?
By questioning them or their parents, and then by any documentation that is provided.
How do you adapt your tutoring to the student's needs?
Again, just meeting them where they are and understanding their needs.
What types of materials do you typically use during a tutoring session?
Books, PowerPoints, notes, and useful Internet links. Preparation beforehand is key though.