Cassandra
Certified Tutor
I have always had a deep love of learning and when I graduated college with a degree in broadcast journalism and joined Teach for America I became passionate about other's education as well. I have taught middle school reading and math for special education and am currently teaching elementary special education. I am also pursuing my master's degree in speech language pathology, hoping to continue to make an impact on children outside the classroom. When I am not teaching, I enjoy spending time with my family, friends and adorable puppy, hiking, yoga and the beautiful beaches of Hawaii.
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Undergraduate Degree: Drake University - Bachelors, Journalism and Mass Communication
- GRE: 312
- GRE Quantitative: 159
- GRE Verbal: 153
spending time with family and friends, reading, hiking, swimming, cooking
- 10th Grade
- 10th Grade Math
- 10th Grade Reading
- 10th Grade Writing
- 11th Grade
- 11th Grade Math
- 11th Grade Reading
- 11th Grade Writing
- 12th Grade
- 12th Grade Math
- 12th Grade Reading
- 12th Grade Writing
- 1st Grade
- 1st Grade Math
- 1st Grade Reading
- 1st Grade Writing
- 2nd Grade
- 2nd Grade Math
- 2nd Grade Reading
- 2nd Grade Writing
- 3rd Grade
- 3rd Grade Math
- 3rd Grade Reading
- 3rd Grade Science
- 3rd Grade Writing
- 4th Grade
- 4th Grade Math
- 4th Grade Reading
- 4th Grade Science
- 4th Grade Writing
- 5th Grade
- 5th Grade Math
- 5th Grade Reading
- 5th Grade Science
- 5th Grade Writing
- 6th Grade
- 6th Grade Math
- 6th Grade Reading
- 6th Grade Science
- 6th Grade Writing
- 7th Grade
- 7th Grade Math
- 7th Grade Reading
- 7th Grade Science
- 7th Grade Writing
- 8th Grade
- 8th Grade Math
- 8th Grade Reading
- 8th Grade Science
- 8th Grade Writing
- 9th Grade
- 9th Grade Math
- 9th Grade Reading
- 9th Grade Writing
- ACT Writing
- Adult Literacy
- College English
- College Essays
- Elementary Math
- Elementary School
- Elementary School Math
- Elementary School Reading
- Elementary School Science
- Elementary School Writing
- English
- English Grammar and Syntax
- Essay Editing
- Expository Writing
- Handwriting
- High School
- High School Chemistry
- High School English
- High School Writing
- Homeschool
- Homework Support
- ISEE Prep
- ISEE- Lower Level
- Journalism
- Math
- Middle School
- Middle School Math
- Middle School Reading
- Middle School Science
- Middle School Writing
- Other
- Phonics
- Public Speaking
- Reading
- Special Education
- STAAR Prep
- STAAR Grades 3-8 Prep
- Study Skills and Organization
- Summer
- Test Prep
- Vocabulary
- Writing
What strategies have you found to be most successful when you start to work with a student?
The strategy I always use when first working with a student is taking time to get to know the student as a person. I think it's important to build a good relationship before getting down to work.
How would you help a student get excited/engaged with a subject that they are struggling in?
There is always some way to connect what we are learning to a real world application or student interest. I would also be sure to connect the subject's importance to the student's overall learning goals.
What techniques would you use to be sure that a student understands the material?
The use of questioning and checking for understanding throughout our session, not just at the end of the tutoring session, is the best indicator of student knowledge.
How do you build a student's confidence in a subject?
Motivation and giving positive praise and feedback when deserved. I also think it's important to review student's growth.
What is your teaching philosophy?
I believe in meeting a student where they are at and building their skills to close any gaps.
What might you do in a typical first session with a student?
I think it's really important to get to know a student when you first start working together. I would want to know their likes, what motivates them, and what they want the goal of our tutoring sessions to be.
How can you help a student become an independent learner?
I think that independence can be taught and encouraged in students. I would do this by allowing for opportunities for the student to take responsibility for their own learning.
How would you help a student stay motivated?
I use a lot of positive reinforcement and encouragement. I also think it's helpful to remind students of what we are working toward and what their personal goals are to help motivate them.
If a student has difficulty learning a skill or concept, what would you do?
Practice, practice, practice! I would also use different teaching strategies and techniques to reteach the skill or concept.
How do you help students who are struggling with reading comprehension?
Chunking the text into smaller sections has always been helpful for me when working on comprehension. If you can understand each section of the text, you can understand the whole text.
How do you evaluate a student's needs?
I do regular checks for understanding throughout the lesson or tutoring session to make sure the student is grasping the concepts while we are working on them.
How do you adapt your tutoring to the student's needs?
Getting to know the student is the biggest way I can adapt my teaching strategies to meet the student's needs.
What types of materials do you typically use during a tutoring session?
It really depends on the session and what we are working on. I like using real world examples and materials if the subject area allows for it.