What is your teaching philosophy?

I make sure that the basics to what is being studied are understood. Knowing the basics can really help make the more in-depth and complex concepts easier and faster to grasp.

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

I like to understand the background of the student and his/her goals for the course. I also make sure to understand the weaknesses and strengths of the student when it comes to studying.

How can you help a student become an independent learner?

I try to influence the student to rewrite notes outside of class and tutoring sessions. I understand that sitting in class and listening to a teacher/professor can be dull and ineffective for many students. Rewriting notes, using visuals, and relating concepts to real-life familiarities can really help a student understand the concepts effectively.

How would you help a student stay motivated?

I personally like to be recognized for my achievements. Being recognized for hard work is a huge motivator for me. I would help a student stay motivated by recognizing their work and progress.

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

I would continue to help that student with that concept until they felt comfortable moving on. I would then come back to that concept to make sure that it was retained.

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

If I read something and do not understand it the first time, I like to read each sentence slowly and carefully and try to make sure I understand what is being conveyed or if the sentence is meaningful to the whole concept. I would help a student with reading comprehension by diagnosing each sentence within the reading assignment.

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

I definitely like to start slow and do an overview of the topic in the beginning of our sessions to get the student in the mind-frame. The student will then be able to let me know what they feel will be the hardest concepts and which concepts they feel comfortable in.

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

I love to use pictures and diagrams (if appropriate) for concepts during sessions.

How do you evaluate a student's needs?

I evaluate a student's needs by asking them questions along the way about material we covered. If the student is struggling to answer the questions, I will know that we will have to go back and review the previous material.