I believe that with a varied and flexible approach, any student can access and process information on an exceptional level. My methods are intended to enhance a student's critical thinking and executive function, while fostering their independence and sense of self.

My first session is always about setting expectations for both the student and teacher, as well as determining the goals the parent or guardian has in mind. Next, I will make my recommendations as to how to proceed with our sessions, while incorporating specific feedback and concerns from both parent/guardian and student.

A student becomes an independent learner by being given a solid foundation for learning and retaining information. They should be provided with a series of techniques that suit their individual needs and skill-sets, so that the techniques they learn are useful, impactful, and permanent. When the student has this foundation, it can be replicated and applied to almost any subject matter. That way, you can impact a student's learning beyond an individual tutoring session.

Motivation is achieved through positivity and enthusiasm. Also, you must be flexible, and respond to a student's dissatisfaction and disinterest with inquiry and analysis. By keeping communication open, frank, and honest, you prevent drastic dips in enthusiasm. Fatigue can set in for anyone, so by addressing and course correcting the fatigue immediately, you prevent sessions from going south, as well as fostering a trust between student and tutoring. If a student feels like they're being listened to and respected, they will be more responsive to your methods.

Reframing the material through a variety of activities is an excellent way to combat learning difficulties. New metaphors, examples, physical modeling, and reframing the information through a student's interest or hobby are all possible ways of breaking down learning barriers.

I tend to use an online resource that focuses exclusively on comprehension. It has a variety of articles and stories, each with a skill assessment at the end. It's a huge repository of reading comprehension material from k-12 and is easily transported from home to home.

Each student requires a unique approach based on their goals and needs. My most successful strategy is to listen to them.

I apply the subject matter to their daily lives, highlighting its overall importance to them. I'm always quick to praise success, and encourage them that they can accomplish what they previously thought to be impossible.

Written, Online, or Verbal assessments are all ways to determine understanding. In addition, having a student instruct you at the endpoint of a unit or lesson puts them in a position of empowerment and agency, which can be beneficial to their understanding and sense of self.

Praise and encouragement. Acknowledging progress whenever it's made, and reinforcing that even incremental success is a victory.

Evaluating a student's needs relies on self-assessment, parental feedback, and whatever subject-appropriate assessment methods are available.

Student and parent/guardian feedback is essential, as is constantly assessing and reassessing progress personally.

I usually resort to online materials and technology to deliver my tutoring sessions. They afford unparalleled flexibility, and engaging a student's technical literacy can provide them comfort and agency in tutoring sessions. Written materials, worksheets, and other graphic organizers can be utilized and developed as their needs arises.