What is your teaching philosophy?

As a teacher, I am also a lifelong learner. I believe that my students come with multiple talents and interests - when I tap into those the learning experience is not only fulfilling but also fun!

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

I would start to get to know the person as a learner and a writer. This way I can assess where we can best begin.

How can you help a student become an independent learner?

I help my students to become independent learners by showing them that the knowledge is theirs to discover - I am merely their guide.

How would you help a student stay motivated?

I help my students stay motivated by teaching in a highly interactive way. I also like to provide many different types of learning scenarios and activities to keep their attention, and also to help the student see the goal of their assignment and keep them focused on that goal.

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

I would find out what their learning style/s are and work with those. For example - a visual learner may work better with images or objects than with written material or listening.

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

I make the retelling of the story / piece they are reading relevant to them by placing it in a context which they are familiar with. Then I use a conversational style to help them recall and respond to the text.