Bio

I’m 17 years experienced Economics and Business Studies teacher. I’ve taught curriculums to students around the world. My view on education is to build on what students know and apply constructivism. Through exploration and inquiry, a pupil can understand that is partial to their understanding of their role in the economy.

Through relating to what students know and building an understanding based on observation and experience, knowledge is applied to a global society.

Lastly, I believe that encouragement with positive reinforcement and a relaxed learning atmosphere creates the best results.

Teaching Experience

3 years Canadian curriculum CIA4U, BBB4M, BOH4M
4 years Cambridge A level Business and Economics
4 years Cambridge IGCSE Business Studies
11 years Cambridge IGCSE Economics
7 years IB DP Economics
ESL environments worldwide

What is your teaching philosophy?

I believe that understanding comes from relating to what students already know or can explain. In economics, the normative and positive discussion of economic theory allows students to take what they know (positive) to make assumptions and apply knowledge and theory to what they can evaluate (normative). In short, what a student can understand is just a continuation of what they already know. Skills-based learning will allow pupils to learn and apply knowledge to any scenario or question.

What might you do in a typical first session with a student?

Introduce myself and offer the opportunity for the student to do the same. Create a comfort level to assist in communication and, lastly, determine exactly what the student requires of me as a tutor. Setting goals and sticking to a strategic and transparent approach to work together to reach success.

How can you help a student become an independent learner?

Students gain independence through confidence and experience. Revise work with students, identify what is done correctly and what needs to be improved, and build skills in the student. Once the assessment objectives are understood, the student will start to apply their knowledge and refine their approach until the assessment objectives are mastered.

How would you help a student stay motivated?

Encouragement, empathy, and having the student know and believe that both of us share success. We are working together for the same goal, which is ultimately their success.

If a student has difficulty learning a skill or concept, what would you do?

Differentiation, variation, and quite simply finding alternative approaches to understanding. This is why it’s important to try and build on what students know already. Finding a relative base of understanding is how we define and direct our approach to understand complex or difficult concepts. For skill, the approach is more explanation based on how the student is putting forth their efforts. A diagnostic approach identifies misunderstanding or confusion, causing the barriers before developing techniques to better our practiced skills.

How do you help students who are struggling with reading comprehension?

Help students to define terms and discussion-based explanations of the meaning of the prose.

What strategies have you found to be most successful when you start to work with a student?

Humor, develop a shared space where pupils can be honest and feel comfortable asking questions at any time. I also find taking a bit of time to build rapport and create a positive dynamic of communication between pupil and teacher helps to explore more difficult topics so that the student is not afraid to attempt new ways of thinking and test their knowledge and skills themselves.

How would you help a student get excited/engaged with a subject that they are struggling with?

Find out what the student hopes to achieve and ensure them that we will reach these goals together with effort and dedication.

What techniques would you use to be sure that a student understands the material?

Open answer discussion and ad hoc application through examples. This is very easy in economics with the cause and effect nature of the subject. There are many ways to conduct a formative assessment in many formats, such as Games, quizzes, homework, projects, and presentations.

How do you build a student’s confidence in a subject?

Being supportive and calm as well as confident in my ability to help them.

How do you evaluate a student’s needs?

Revision, discussion, and if they have work, they can share, taking a look with them in conjunction with assessment criteria (for standardized syllabi) to identify strengths and weaknesses.

How do you adapt your tutoring to the student’s needs?

By being a dynamic professional and communicating with the student/parents. It’s important to solicit and receive feedback regularly.

What types of materials do you typically use during a tutoring session?

PowerPoints, quizzes, digital whiteboard, and models

Teaching Skills