What is your teaching philosophy?

I like to meet the student where they are and adjust my style to help them get to where they need to be.

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

In the first session I like to get to know the student and their style of learning. I ask them questions about what they feel are their problem areas and how they learn best.

How can you help a student become an independent learner?

In all of my sessions, I like to practice study skills with the student so that they have a foundation when working on their own.

How would you help a student stay motivated?

I like giving positive feedback and encouragement. I also like to set small weekly goals with my students.

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

I look for more ways to approach the problem, constantly adjusting to the student and their learning style.

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

I start by breaking the reading assignment up into smaller pieces, stopping to discuss each piece and help the student learn how to pick out the important parts of the passages.

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

The biggest thing for me is adaptability. I ask the student lots of questions to check for understanding. I also make sure to always adapt my teaching style to fit the student.

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

I try to help the student make connections from the subject material to their everyday life. I use examples that are relevant to the student.

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

I ask many questions throughout the session to make sure the student understands the material. I also will quiz the student at the end of the session and the beginning of the next session to make sure there was an understanding.

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

Constant feedback and encouragement. When a student does well in a session, I make sure to encourage them. I also follow up with their grades on test and quizzes so we can celebrate their successes.

How do you evaluate a student's needs?

I look at previous work they have done. I also make a point to spend the first session going over basic concepts to see their level of understanding of the subject material. I keep an open line of communication with the student and with their parents.

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

It is important to me that the student is getting the most out of their tutoring session. If I'm noticing they are not understanding a concept, I change my approach and go back and reteach the material.

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

I like to use the student's classroom and books for the session. I also look for videos and websites that might offer good supplemental information to what they are learning in class. This gives the opportunity for higher level discussion and better understanding of the material.