Mary
Certified Tutor
Helping students grow and achieve academic success is a passion of mine . I look forward to meeting and working with new students! I have been an elementary school teacher for nearly thirty years with a proven track record. When I'm not teaching or tutoring you can find me on the ballroom floor dancing up a storm.
Connect with a tutor like Mary
Undergraduate Degree:University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee- Bachelor of Science, Elementary School Teaching
ballroom dancing, tap dancing, ballet,zumba
- Adult ESL/ELL
- College English
- Elementary Math
- Elementary School
- Elementary School Math
- Elementary School Reading
- Elementary School Science
- Elementary School Writing
- English
- ESL/ELL
- High School English
- High School Writing
- Homework Support
- Math
- Middle School Reading
- Middle School Reading Comprehension
- Middle School Writing
- Other
- Phonics
- Reading
- Science
- Study Skills
- Study Skills and Organization
- Summer
- Writing
What might you do in a typical first session with a student?
I'd like to get to know the student's likes, dislikes, strengths, and weaknesses, so I do some informal assessing of these areas.
If a student has difficulty learning a skill or concept, what would you do?
I would provide additional resources for the student to work on between sessions, as well as providing plenty of feedback for each step towards the goal.
What strategies have you found to be most successful when you start to work with a student?
A great motivator when working with students is to get to know the student as an individual and form a relationship built on trust. Depending on the age of the student, some tangible rewards also work.
What techniques would you use to be sure that a student understands the material?
Using a variety of simple formative assessments (not necessarily pencil paper tasks) throughout the sessions will help shape each future session.
How do you build a student's confidence in a subject?
Genuine praise during the session as the student demonstrates an understanding, helps boost a student's confidence.
What types of materials do you typically use during a tutoring session?
Depending on the subject, I have charts, organizers, flashcards, games, as well as additional resources, such as trade books, practice sheets , etc.
What is your teaching philosophy?
All students are gifted; some just open their packages sooner.
How can you help a student become an independent learner?
I help students become independent learners by giving them the confidence, enthusiasm and knowledge they need.
How would you help a student stay motivated?
I help a student stay motivated by providing fun activities and using a variety of materials.
How do you help students who are struggling with reading comprehension?
I boost self-esteem and confidence while providing a variety of materials that address the exact area or areas of reading comprehension needed for success
How would you help a student get excited/engaged with a subject that they are struggling in?
By providing a variety of materials that engage the learner as well as providing praise all the steps needed for success, I keep the student excited and engaged.
How do you evaluate a student's needs?
I use a variety of formative assessments (which are not just paper and pencil tasks) to gauge their current levels as well as formulate the next steps.
How do you adapt your tutoring to the student's needs?
Using a variety of materials, as well as knowing the student on a personal level, is how I adapt to each student and their need(s).