I firmly believe education is "the great equalizer." With the proper mental tools, anyone can be successful in whatever endeavors they choose. My goal as a teacher is to instill the skills and provide the information necessary for students to have success in any avenue.

In a first session, I ask students about their interests, how they perceive their own learning, and what they would like to accomplish in tutoring. I then establish both short- and long-term goals.

Independent learning begins with interest and motivation. I first help students determine a purpose or goal for learning. The, I select interesting materials. Finally, I provide a framework for building confidence and increasing the level of challenge (frequently called scaffolding).

By establishing attainable, short-term goals and small rewards for meeting them and by providing frequent feedback, I help students stay motivated to learn.

If a student finds a particular concept or skill especially difficult, I use assessments to help pinpoint the challenging area. Often, teaching the concept in a different way and/or breaking it down into smaller segments aids learning.

Reading comprehension challenges are often the result of difficulty with vocabulary or syntax. Providing pre-reading assistance in these areas often helps increase reading comprehension.