What is your teaching philosophy?

My teaching philosophy is very simple and involves finding the method that works best for the student and attempting to tailor my tutoring to the student's learning behavior. I tutor mostly math and science, and I work to make the material interesting and relevant. I want to engage the student and make it enjoyable.

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

I would do a quick inventory to determine where the student is. Then I would provide a few details about myself and make sure the student realizes that I am accessible.

How can you help a student become an independent learner?

I help encourage a yearning for learning. I also commit to being a resource when questions arise. I encourage students to seek alternate source material to learn from. I like to instill in students that independent learning is a lifelong process and the skills learned will help them for years to come.

How would you help a student stay motivated?

I would try to make the material interesting and make it "speak to them." I also show progress made and accentuate the positives.

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

I try to explain a concept from a different vantage point. It is not always easy to find the presentation that works best, but it is important.

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

Use tools like highlighting or taking notes. Have them stop at the end of each paragraph or page and mentally summarize what they learned.

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

I try gaining the student's buy-in, and help them to realize that I am empathetically in it with them.

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

I help them appreciate baby-steps. We would chop up the material in bite-size portions and appreciate small achievements.

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

I have them regurgitate the material and ensure that they are retaining the material.

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

I point to incremental successes.

How do you evaluate a student's needs?

Based on testing and discussing the material.

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

I have a big arsenal, and if one style does not work, I change the manner of delivery.

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

For younger students, I use money when covering things like fractions. I use drawings and educational aids or real world examples. I talk through chemistry experiments or, when possible, perform them so as to make the lesson more memorable and relevant.