Over the years, I have found that it is of paramount importance, as a teacher/tutor, to give the student a sense that you are both equal stakeholders in the learning dynamic. The teacher and student, alike, want a successful outcome of this joint effort. My students learn primarily because I help them to believe that they can. I am well aware of the challenges students face when they are embarking on the venture of learning a new language or improving upon their level of competency in a given academic area. All of the anxieties, excitement, and uncertainties that accompany this period of adjustment could be made less traumatic if the teacher employs an optimal level of guidance, patience, and structure. Sometimes it may require utilizing improvised methodologies to suit a particular learning need, since some students learn best through visual aids as opposed to verbal cues. I regularly incorporate both approaches into my instruction, and this seems to work for my students. As a way of certifying my effectiveness as a teacher, I have received many positive reviews through media such as ratemyprofessors.com and institutional recognition such as 'nominee for adjunct professor of the year'. I bring a high level of energy to my craft, and this convinces me that teaching is the best profession that I could have chosen.
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