Sandra
Certified Tutor
I love teaching! I love working with anyone who wants to learn!! My whole career has been spent in education and I would love to work with you or your child. My areas of expertise are in reading, writing, study skills, and working with those who may receive special education or have attention deficit disorder. I have taught K-12 and at the college level. There is no paper that we cannot tackle together. If you or your child need help with decoding or reading comprehension, I am here for you! If math is an issue at the elementary level, I can help!!
Personally, I am married and we have one daughter, three dogs, three cats and a rat! Yes, a rat! We love camping and hanging out with our friends. I also love to dive into a good book when I find the time.
I look forward to meeting you!
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Undergraduate Degree:Western Michigan University- Bachelors, Special Education
Graduate Degree:Western Michigan University- Masters, Reading
reading, camping, spending time with friends
- College English
- College Essays
- Elementary Math
- Elementary School Math
- English
- English Grammar and Syntax
- Essay Editing
- High School English
- Homework Support
- Math
- Other
- Phonics
- Reading
- Special Education
- Study Skills
- Study Skills and Organization
- Summer
- Writing
How would you help a student get excited/engaged with a subject that they are struggling in?
I will become excited about the subject area myself, and this should rub off. I will also make it as fun as possible.
What techniques would you use to be sure that a student understands the material?
We will learn the material in different ways. I will also make sure the student is allowed to practice the skills being taught.
How do you build a student's confidence in a subject?
There are just some subjects that students do not like. By breaking this subject down to the student's level, my student's confidence should build, and before he/she knows it, he/she will be doing well.
How do you evaluate a student's needs?
It is important to do some form of progress monitoring so that my tutees see their own growth. I will monitor progress at least monthly and provide a report.
How do you adapt your tutoring to the student's needs?
I believe in using Vigotsky's "zone of proximity" when working with students. This means I will present material at the student's level and move up from there.
What types of materials do you typically use during a tutoring session?
I will use flashcards, PowerPoint slides, the whiteboard and whatever it takes to keep my student's interest in the subject!
What is your teaching philosophy?
All students can learn!!
What might you do in a typical first session with a student?
We will get to know each other at the beginning of our first session. We will spend a little time talking about our different interests. We will then discuss what areas we need to work on before diving in.
How can you help a student become an independent learner?
I do, we do, you do! That is the platform that works best in teaching any subject. When my student can do it independently, I know we have made growth.
How would you help a student stay motivated?
I may use sticker charts or points, along with crazy sounds and objects to help keep my students motivated, if needed. I will also be enthusiastic about the subject matter being presented.
If a student has difficulty learning a skill or concept, what would you do?
I will reteach a concept in many different ways until my student understands it automatically. I will make it fun!
How do you help students who are struggling with reading comprehension?
I will teach my students reading strategies that can be used across all curriculum. This is based on the reading apprenticeship approach, with my student being the apprentice. We may use the student's own reading materials to do this.
What strategies have you found to be most successful when you start to work with a student?
It is important that I remain enthusiastic when presenting the subject to my student. I also remain friendly and change activities when I see the student getting bored.