Everybody has the ability to understand the subjects they are being taught and tested on; the difference between those who do well in the classroom setting and those who struggle has to do with how the information is presented. I believe every person is different in the way they interpret the world around them, so teaching should always be tailored to a student’s natural mode of thinking.

I establish a connection with my students before I begin teaching; communication is key, and being comfortable with each other is the first step. I will also learn some things about my student in order to relate topics to their everyday life and interests.

Problem solving is a lifelong skill; to be able to critically analyze information is something that schools usually assume students have learned. I believe my teaching strategy will help build a toolkit students can access at any time.

From the Life of David Gale, "Fantasies have to be unrealistic because the moment, the second that you get what you seek, you don't, you can't want it anymore. In order to continue to exist, desire must have its objects perpetually absent. It's not the 'it' that you want, it's the fantasy of 'it.' So, desire supports crazy fantasies. This is what Pascal means when he says that we are only truly happy when daydreaming about future happiness. Or why we say the hunt is sweeter than the kill. Or be careful what you wish for. Not because you'll get it, but because you're doomed not to want it once you do. So the lesson of Lacan is, living by your wants will never make you happy. What it means to be fully human is to strive to live by ideas and ideals and not to measure your life by what you've attained in terms of your desires but those small moments of integrity, compassion, rationality, even self-sacrifice. Because in the end, the only way that we can measure the significance of our own lives is by valuing the lives of others.”

Break the topic into manageable pieces, and relate the process to their everyday life to let them form the connections themselves.

Focus on the ideas of the passage, and relate those ideas to what you are currently reading, make a framework, and focus on the developing ideas.

A lot of subjects seem not to have any importance to the student, but when the student is able to find aspects that are relating to their everyday life, they are more likely to become interested in a tough subject.

When given an answer to a question, whether or not if they were right, have them walk you through their thought process.

Show them how much they know already, and that this progress has come from their hard work.

To figure out a student’s needs I need to know the student at a fairly personal level; if I am able to understand how they think, I will be able to see where the gaps in their knowledge are.

There are many different learners out there; for example, I am a very visual person; to be able to relate topics to their learning style helps tremendously.

Practice problems, the student’s notes, my own notes, the internet, practice exams, and the student’s homework.

Give them a new frame of reference; usually they only learn with their teacher. When given the right tools a student will be able analyze information by themselves.