What is your teaching philosophy?

I love being able to apply what we're studying to real-life contexts and issues that affect both the world and the student him or herself. Being able to situate what we're learning together within a broader picture is one of the best motivations to remember why what we're learning is important and valuable. Not to mention- it's a lot of fun!

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

I enjoy getting to know a student - their learning style, what they're like as a person, and what they most need help with. In addition to diagnosing these things, a first session might also include a discussion about a student's long term goals, their personal interests, and any other information that would give us a broader base to know each other and where we're coming from.

How can you help a student become an independent learner?

Ultimately, tutoring should be a way of putting more tools in a student's toolbox, and giving them the confidence and energy to put those tools to use on their own. Whatever we're learning, I try my best to teach students not the answers to the problems at hand, but the strategies and ways of thinking that will allow them to answer the question independently. Perhaps even more importantly than just teaching these strategies is showing students how using these strategies-- learning a new skill-- can be not only enjoyable but also applicable to other areas of their life.