What is your teaching philosophy?

My teaching philosophy is that every child is like a shining star in the education solar system, and though sometimes they need a little push now and then, they are very smart and capable on their own and work very hard to make sure that they understand the concepts that are being presented to them.

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

I like to continue getting to know my new student, along with either assessing where the student is for myself to see where I need to begin or beginning to introduce new concepts.

How can you help a student become an independent learner?

I use the extended release method. In this method, I will start out with control, because I will be teaching the lesson and showing students how to complete the practice problems. Then I will release some of the control to the students to practice a few problems, and I will help them as much as they need. Then when they feel like they understand the concept, students will be given complete control and asked to complete the independent assignment.

How would you help a student stay motivated?

To help a student stay motivated, I like to find out what students like and center the lessons on that subject so that students will have something they like to focus on instead of the topic that they may not like.

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

I will work with that student to see exactly what part of the skill or concept that they are missing and why or how they are missing it. I will then create an instructional plan to help them learn the missing skills or concepts.

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

I like to use the SQ3R method or graphic organizers, eliminating wrong answers in questions.

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

I have found that getting to know the likes of the student, assessing the student within the first two sessions, and treating the student like a person are great ways to work with a student.

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

I would help a student get excited/engaged with a subject that they are struggling in by finding out what the student really likes and creating unique lessons for that student that deal with the objective needed, but are still individualized for the student.

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

I like to have the student explain the learning goal in their own words, because this requires higher thinking skills.

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

By having the subject in the student's favorite thing. Most of the time, it provides a boost of confidence because it makes the subject a little easier to study and therefore boosts their confidence.

How do you evaluate a student's needs?

I have individualized end of year tests that I give to students that are correlated to the Common Core Standards.

How do you adapt your tutoring to the student's needs?

I listen to the student and the student's parents at the end or beginning of each session, and I also ask for feedback so that I can adapt my tutoring to best fit the needs of my students.

What types of materials do you typically use during a tutoring session?

-Whiteboard -Computer -Textbook -Video -Worksheet -Learning Log