Kat
Certified Tutor
Hi! My name is Kat and I have been in the field of education for over 20 years. I have earned an Associate of Arts degree in Liberal Studies, a Bachelor of Arts degree in Human Development, and a Master of Arts degree in Elementary Education. In each of these areas I graduated with honors. In addition to teaching in general education classes, I have taught Fine Arts, Computer Technology, and Music. I am a proponent of Howard Gardener's theory of multiple intelligences and I present my lessons in many different presentation styles.
I am currently teaching Kindergarten and will be moving back to a fifth grade classroom next fall at Ruth Fyfe Elementary in Las Vegas, Nevada.
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Undergraduate Degree:Azusa Pacific University- Bachelors, Human Development
Graduate Degree:University of Phoenix-Las Vegas Campus- Masters, Elementary Teacher
Music, plays piano, guitar, and bass. Drawing and painting, costume design, exploring Nevada
- Arithmetic
- Elementary Math
- Elementary School Math
- English Grammar and Syntax
- Homework Support
- Math
- Other
- Reading
- Study Skills
- Study Skills and Organization
- Summer
- Writing
What is your teaching philosophy?
Every child can learn; a teacher must find their optimum mode in which to receive and process the information and skills.
What might you do in a typical first session with a student?
First of all, I would get know them. What are their likes and dislikes? What subjects do they love and what subjects do they hate? I would also find out how they like to study (quiet, music playing, etc.). Then I would do a multiple intelligence survey to find their optimum learning styles.
How can you help a student become an independent learner?
A student can become an independent learner when they have the skills to understand the material. When just getting through the text is not a struggle, a student will comprehend more of the content.
How would you help a student stay motivated?
To help a student stay motivated, I would make sure that there are realistic goals set for what is necessary to accomplish and provide positive reinforcement and feedback.
If a student has difficulty learning a skill or concept, what would you do?
When a student has difficulty learning a skill or concept it is necessary to present the lesson in different ways. For instance, if the student is a kinesthetic learner, I would use a more hands-on approach with manipulatives or models. If the student is a visual or spatial learner, I would use drawings. In this way the learner is building many different memories of the same skill or concept.
How do you help students who are struggling with reading comprehension?
Students who are struggling with reading comprehension may have trouble decoding the words fluently. In this case I would work on fluency with reading aloud.
What strategies have you found to be most successful when you start to work with a student?
When I first start working with a student, I try to get to know that student. A student who is uncomfortable with their tutor will not benefit from the time in the lesson.
How would you help a student get excited/engaged with a subject that they are struggling in?
When a student is struggling with a subject it may be that they are not interested in the content. I try to present the lessons using content that is important or enjoyable for the student.
What techniques would you use to be sure that a student understands the material?
Techniques that I use to be sure the student understands the material are a combination of oral and written assessments, and observation.
How do you build a student's confidence in a subject?
To build a student's confidence in any subject I provide positive feedback at every session.
How do you evaluate a student's needs?
To evaluate a student's needs I start with an interview with the student and the parents. I would ask that I am provided with any concerns from the student's teacher as to where the deficiencies are. Then I would do diagnostic evaluations in the subject that is requiring remediation.