What is your teaching style? What if my child is apprehensive about tutoring?
Philosophy
Strategies
There is no math gene. Everyone can learn math. Sometimes it just takes a little more time or a different strategy. Mistakes are part of learning. A growth mindset makes a difference (and if your child doesn't have one, you can be sure I'll work on that, too!).
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I ask questions. At first, they are "getting to know you" questions. And then, they are questions about math class. And then we get to content questions. Not to quiz students, but to learn where their knowledge gaps lie. I tell students this. Some of my questions may seem too easy. That's because I want students to have mini-successes throughout our session, but especially at the start of each session. This is one of the ways in which I'm able to help students build confidence in themselves.
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I connect new learning to previously learned topics. In this way, a new topic doesn't seem so overwhelming. And research shows this decreases student anxiety about new learning.
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Mistakes are part of the learning process. They can be very helpful but only if we analyze them to understand what we did and what we can do differently. Don't be surprised if you hear me say, "I'm glad you made that mistake--it's a common one and I want to be sure we go over how to avoid it next time!"
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I smile. I celebrate successes. I'm here to make students' (and parents') lives easier. Tutoring should be something a student sees as helpful (Parents: you don't have to convince them of this. I'll get them there. Your job is to just get them to the session.)
How do online sessions work?
Scheduling
During our Session
After the Session
Students and parents get a calendar invitation that includes a Zoom link. The same Zoom link is used for every session with that student.
I get to know each student, their strengths, and their challenges. Attentional issues are not as common due to the one-on-one nature of our sessions.
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Features of a Zoom session:
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Students can share their screens to show me their online learning management system (e.g. Google Classroom, Powerschool, Canvas, etc.).
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Students are also able to sent me pictures of any physical documents, which I can then pull up on our shared screen.
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I can draw on any screen that I or the student pulls up.
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Students explain their thinking thus reinforcing their learning and/or allowing me to correct misconceptions.
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Within 24 hours, parents receive a note about our session. It includes the topics covered, notes about what was done and how the student did, as well as next steps for the student and/or parent (e.g. "Ryan should ask his teacher about . . ." or "Jess should finish the assignment we started working on.")
How am I charged for sessions?
First Session/First Month
Subsequent Months
Cancellations/ Rescheduling
After your child's first session, an invoice will be sent for all of the sessions in that month. Payment will be due prior to our second session.
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Monthly invoices get sent out two weeks before the first of the month. (E.g. you will receive the invoice for March sessions in mid-February).
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Families should check their calendars at this time and let me know of any sessions that need to be canceled (or rescheduled as my schedule allows).
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Monthly invoices are sent via email and are due two weeks after the invoice is sent to you.
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Invoices can be paid by credit card using the link in the invoice.
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When you pay an invoice online, there is an option to save your credit card. If you do that, I will automatically bill that credit card on the invoice due date.
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Sessions canceled with less than 24 hours notice will not be refunded.
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Should I need to cancel a session, I will work with you and your child to make it up or refund you.