Harry
Certified Tutor
I believe everyone can learn and there is joy in seeing someone learn. I believe tutoring is a powerful approach to helping an interested individual learn and as a tutor is my responsibility to motivate and inspire that individual.
Connect with a tutor like Harry
Undergraduate Degree: Indiana State University - Bachelor of Science, English
Graduate Degree: Millersville University of Pennsylvania - Master of Arts, Latin
reading, tennis, poetry, working out
What strategies have you found to be most successful when you start to work with a student?
I make sure the students are comfortable with me and understand how I plan to support them. We would list ways that would help them be successful in the course.
How would you help a student get excited/engaged with a subject that they are struggling in?
I would provide activities which would be not too difficult, and support them with helping them better understand the subject. To excite them, I would show them how excited I am about discussing the subject.
What techniques would you use to be sure that a student understands the material?
I would ask numerous questions during our session, which would show if they have an understanding. I would ask them to explain concepts and give examples to support their thinking.
How do you build a student's confidence in a subject?
Success leads to success. I would provide them with exercises and work, which would gradually challenge them. I would not provide material that I realize they could not grasp. I would guide them and provide positive feedback during the session and on homework assignments.
How do you evaluate a student's needs?
I ask a variety of questions pertaining to the subject. I ask comprehension questions and questions that make them think more deeply about the material. Through the homework assignments I would be able to evaluate their progress.
How do you adapt your tutoring to the student's needs?
I immediately work at ascertaining the student's need and creating a lesson plan to use while tutoring them that addresses their needs. I ask for feedback from them about whether they feel I am meeting their needs.
What types of materials do you typically use during a tutoring session?
Reading material, exercises to reinforce concepts, and perhaps even a YouTube to engage the student.
What is your teaching philosophy?
I believe all students can learn and that teaching requires motivating, stimulating, and challenging the student. I believe utilizing the Socratic approach to teaching can be effective. I believe in asking many questions, leading questions, questions that help me assess my student and give him an opportunity to think and focus on the material at hand. I believe creating an environment for learning is crucial to keeping the student on task and providing supplementary material to reinforce concepts.
What might you do in a typical first session with a student?
I would work at getting to know the student on a personal level as well as an academic level. I let the student get to know me, and I would discuss my approach to tutoring and what I expect from him during the session as well as after the session. We would look at a calendar and discuss possible deadlines and map out the course.
How can you help a student become an independent learner?
Providing them with confidence and showing them that they can grasp material on their own would be essential. Providing them with strategies to help them become more of an independent learner. Giving them guided practice, and then letting them work independently during the tutoring session.