What is your teaching philosophy?

Every child deserves an opportunity to be successful with sufficient support. I believe in order for us to reach our children, we must be relatable to build a relationship that aids and assists their success.

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

For a typical first session I believe in expression. After getting to know my student's name, age/grade level, and hobbies, I would ask my student about their day in science and to tell me one thing they like or don't like about the topic they learned in science. Then, after that, I would use this information as an icebreaker for our info session of "Did you, Do you, or Don't You.” Objectives: 1. To build understanding and higher order thinking. 2. To build confidence in subject matter by peaking creativity and tenacity to learn. 3. To inform and dispel common myths on the given topic. 4. To motivate in learning and retaining content.

How can you help a student become an independent learner?

To help a student to become an independent learner is first building confidence and giving resources that are user friendly and fun.

How would you help a student stay motivated?

To have my student stay motivated in science involves showing them the true initial purpose, and using real-life examples that relate to them to explain content area. For instance, a basketball player in a life science class learning about the human body systems would understand and retain more by explaining the systems as being the basketball team. (To begin, explain the focus would be on 3 systems at a time: i.e. central/nervous system, skeletal system, and muscular system). The head coach being the brain (central nervous system), giving the plays to the spinal cord (peripheral nervous system), which is the 1st string players, to complete the task of the goal of communication - to score the points in movement to pass the message to the muscle to move the bones to cause movement.

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

I would provide supplemental reading instruction worksheets that build on comprehension, author's purpose, main idea, etc. The topic will be science related on topics that interest them.

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

Successful strategies: 1. Learning my student (Every person is different, and when you cater your lesson of study to them individually, it increases confidence and boosts self-esteem in the content area and in general). 2. Joke and have personality (I am a very fun, outgoing person who loves communication. Being relatable to my student is key, where they are confident in me for not only content area but being an example in life). 3. Team building (Celebrating in my student’s success: Getting a great grade on an exam or even learning/understanding something fully. Being a support brings success).

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

Well, first the teacher has to be excited to bring excitement to the student. I believe my energy level alone motivates my students to want to learn.

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

我会用KWL图表和瞿有趣的“你知道”estions, where I am not only asking but the student gets to ask me. Also, explaining/teaching to me as a summary review to show understanding. My motto is: If you can teach it, then you have reached it.

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

I build my student’s confidence in science by not only spending time to show the subject is not as hard as you think, but by using the student’s hobbies and interests to retain content. In other words, using the student’s strengths to build on the weakness of a science topic to turn it into a strength.

How do you evaluate a student's needs?

I give a mini questionnaire on content knowledge before I go into tutoring on that topic.

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

I adapt my tutoring based off the questionnaire I give my students. You don't know how to teach until you find out what area you have to reach.

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

I use the internet, self-made questionnaires, and reading supplements from credible reading websites. Also, creative icebreakers and team building exercises, all catered to the student.