Zoe Lerman

I teach with a student-first mindset, which for me means first understanding the struggles and goals of the student. Understanding the challenges the student is facing and why is key to me creating a plan for how to help because I believe learning is not a one-size-fits-all approach. Instead, I move through lessons with trying to cater to the strengths and interests of the student.

If students are needing more general help on subjects, then I approach the lessons with a stronger emphasis on fostering and developing knowledge and skills, whereas if there is a more specific need (homework help, studying for a test, etc), then I tend to try to engage with the material at hand, specifically and in depth.

I really aim to work with students and not against them. Learning who they are and how they learn is a genuine importance to me because I believe the only way we can earnestly retain knowledge and build reliable skill sets is by forming healthy habits and tools we can pull on in our everyday lives. My initial lesson will focus on meeting the student, learning a bit about them as an individual and also who they are in the classroom. I would ask for details on what they might be struggling with and to the best of their abilities and explanation on why they find it challenging. I would then ask ways they enjoy learning. I don’t expect students to always know answers to these questions, but any input helps me move forward in lessons with creating activities or drawing on certain materials we could work on together.

All of my lessons will be an ongoing conversation with the student to get them to actively report on how they’re feeling, what’s working and what’s not, and the progress they feel they are making.