Kate
Certified Tutor
I am an educator who believes in student-centered learning.
I got my start teaching when I tutored students at a University Writing Center as I was earning my M.A. in English Rhetoric. I continued teaching as a long-term substitute at a preparatory school after that. I enjoy being part of a process that engages students in the subjects they love, and teaching them to love subjects they haven't learned to find appreciation for quite yet.
I currently teach language classes for a well-known company as well.
Connect with a tutor like Kate
Undergraduate Degree: Northwestern State University of Louisiana - Bachelors, Journalism
Graduate Degree: The University of Texas at Arlington - Masters, English
I enjoy guitar playing, reading philosophy, and engaging with the Dallas film community.
- Adult Literacy
- American Literature
- College English
- College Level American Literature
- Conversational Spanish
- English
- English Grammar and Syntax
- ESL/ELL
- Essay Editing
- High School English
- High School Level American Literature
- High School Writing
- Journalism
- Languages
- Spanish
What is your teaching philosophy?
I believe that student-centered learning is what ultimately wins the day. When a student is interested and focused, learning becomes a process of involvement.
What might you do in a typical first session with a student?
I get to know the student and ask questions about their needs and interests before jumping into the assignment.
How can you help a student become an independent learner?
I can teach them study skills that help them to learn on their own and will help build a lifetime of enthusiasm toward learning.
How would you help a student stay motivated?
I would find out what the student's individual goals are and help them remember why they're learning in the first place. I would also offer encouragement.
If a student has difficulty learning a skill or concept, what would you do?
I would see if there were steps we could break down to master one at a time. I would also see if we could slow the pace of explanation and explain the point of learning multiple times in different ways.
How do you help students who are struggling with reading comprehension?
When a student has problems with reading comprehension, I get the student to move more slowly, ask questions about sections of the text, and answer them. If it's a new subject, or there are a lot of new words, I provide context and explanation.
What strategies have you found to be most successful when you start to work with a student?
Encouragement, incremental feedback, and learning that occurs at the right pace for the student are ideal.
How would you help a student get excited/engaged with a subject that they are struggling in?
I would see what areas of the subject tie in with the student's passion. Then, I would contextualize the subject within that passion as much as possible.
What techniques would you use to be sure that a student understands the material?
I would use multiple techniques. I would ask the student to paraphrase or explain what we just went over. I would ask questions--and I would guide the student toward exercises that require the knowledge to be applied.
How do you build a student's confidence in a subject?
I would build a student's confidence by giving honest feedback. Also, by continuing to work on areas of weakness and building in areas of strength.
How do you evaluate a student's needs?
I stay engaged with the student. I ask the student for feedback, and tailor exercises to meet learning levels. I evaluate responses and adjust accordingly.
How do you adapt your tutoring to the student's needs?
I stay engaged with the student and adjust my teaching accordingly.
What types of materials do you typically use during a tutoring session?
Depends on the subject, but books and flashcards can go a long way.