What is your teaching philosophy?

I believe in teaching to students’ strengths in order to develop trouble spots. This helps boost their confidence and re-instill their capabilities. Positive attitudes are very important, so I'm optimistic.

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

Assess the student’s needs verbally, and with an assignment or two that shows me how well they understand the particular subject area. As well as how we can improve on particular areas.

How can you help a student become an independent learner?

By giving them specialized strategies that meet their needs and educational levels.

How would you help a student stay motivated?

Positive reinforcement, pointing out what they can do and where they have been successful, instead of "focusing" on the weaker areas.

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

Reinvent methods that will better aid the student.

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

Pick books that are best suited for the student’s level as well as suggesting tips and tricks to help the student. Practice makes perfect, too.

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

I like fun activities that take the student's mind away from the challenge at hand, but allows them to conquer it all at the same time. Also, note cards, sticky notes, note taking skills, and other methodologies all aim towards success.

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

Provide creative lessons, games, and activities that help the student want to learn and be more engaged.

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

Reinforce learned material, and trigger struggling points that we may need to review a little extra. Also, use a wide variety of methods so that no matter what, the student is successful.

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

Practice, positive reinforcement, showing them their own success, enjoying the moments with them, and so much more!

How do you evaluate a student's needs?

It depends on their age and the area we are working on.

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

I study their strengths and weaknesses and build upon those, rather than my own. I then provide material that will best help the way they learn, what they are great at, and improve upon what they haven't mastered quite yet.

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

All different materials. It truly depends on the student- age, grade, interests, education, and subject.