My teaching philosophy has always been to meet a students needs. Teaching according to HOW they learn.

I typically build a positive rapport with my students. Having a common ground is necessary for learning as well as teaching.

I help a student become an independent learner by providing scaffolding. This allows me to "put up and take down" as needed and yet still provide support.

I often take brain breaks for myself as well as my student. Positive motivation is also provided with specific verbal praise. Not just a "good job". "I really like the adjectives that you chose, they provide me with a great picture! Can you give me a verb that is just as descriptive?"

I usually drop back and punt. We will review a mastered skill that is needed for a difficult concept. This provides an instant self-esteem boost. I would also break the skill into more manageable chunks.

Breaking down longer passages helps with fluency. Sounding out words phonetically as well as using prior knowledge also helps ease a struggling student.

My sense of humor as well as my hatred of math often is successful when working with struggling students. Just because I hate math doesn't mean I didn't learn it and it also doesn't mean I can't do it.

Finding a common interest in a student will draw them out and interest them in a way that "boring" material will not. A student will more willingly interact with a particular subject if they are personally vested in an aspect of it. Using sports scores to learn multiplication tables as well as algebra is a good example of this.

I usually use a three-step process for guided, independent and master skills. I address each skill three times in each area, in each way.

Profiling myself often works. I was NOT the best student. I DID struggle through some subjects. I was not fond of EVERY teacher I had. If I can do it you can too.

Communication through the student themselves as well as parental involvement is NECESSARY to evaluate what a student needs.

I adapt presentation style as well as adapting to a student’s needs and learning style. I use a highlighter to emphasize key terms and numbers. I also expect the student to use tools that are appropriate to their learning style.

I use a dictionary, thesaurus, calculator, note pad, pencil with eraser (because everyone makes mistakes), grammar rules, study skills handbook, and learning styles tip sheet (and my puppy if it gets too stressful.)