What is your teaching philosophy?

As a teacher, my goal is to inspire my students and educate them. As a social studies teacher, my job is to not only have my students engaged in historical subjects, but also to get them more active civically. It is the duty of the teacher to engage their students and connect with them. Once a student feels more connected with their teacher, they will become more connected with what is being taught. Why social studies? Although my master's degree is in History, I value all of social studies as immensely necessary to be taught in schools. Students must learn to think critically on issues that impact them currently. They must learn about the mistakes made in the past, and they must learn about how society dealt with those mistakes. History teaches us our story and foundation, Government teaches us how we operate in society, and World Studies/Geography teaches us the realities that stand outside of our nation's borders. In the later grades, students are becoming more developed psychologically. Students now can think more critically on topics and learn context rather than just memorizing facts. They can learn the importance of certain topics, rather than just that those topics exist. The job of the social studies teacher is to engage the students and have those students as active participants in, and out of, class.

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

I would need to fully understand their needs on day one. I would find out where they are struggling and tackle that with them. My goal as a tutor is to know my students and assist them to succeed in their academic life.

How can you help a student become an independent learner?

With regard to social studies, I can help them achieve independence by assuring they understand the context within the content.

How would you help a student stay motivated?

I would inspire them by giving them constant feedback on how they are achieving their goals. My goal is to also allow students to find strong interest in what they are learning. I want them to feel passion towards the subject.

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

I would investigate why they are having trouble and look at different paths to assist them in tackling that issue.

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

I would ask them questions about what they think they should know from the reading. If they are completely unsure, I might use another method to get the information across to them. Depending on how they best learn, I may use a video to give them visuals.

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

Questioning is a great way to assess how and if a student is retaining information.

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

I would use a variety of mediums to present the information to the student. Many students are bored with the mundane task of reading and writing. I might show a student a video, or discuss the topic in its relevance to how it impacts them today. Wrapping a student's mind around the context of the topic will get them inspired. That context must place them in the perspective of that topic.

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

I would use a variety of assessments. For one, I would observe their grades and see how they are succeeding in class. While in person, I will use questioning to see how the student is retaining the information. I will also observe them complete tasks assigned to them.

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

Through continued feedback, which will be positive. Feedback must encourage and not tear down a student's confidence.

How do you evaluate a student's needs?

I may contact the parent, teacher, or student themselves. I may look at grades, evaluations, or other documents that I am permitted to see.

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

A teacher must understand the need to differentiate when necessary. I would need to understand how the student learns best. I would then adapt how I present and reinforce information to that learning ability.

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

It would depend on the format of the tutoring. I may use a computer, tablet, paper, pencil, pens, etc.