What is your teaching philosophy?

I teach with a stronger focus on understanding rather than memorization. I try to make my students confident, independent learners.

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

I like to get to know a student. I ask them about what they are comfortable with in their subjects and their learning styles. We also discuss what has worked for them in the past and how it can be modified for different subjects.

How can you help a student become an independent learner?

I help the student to understand the subject content and breakdown questions with them. Then, I ask them to explain concepts to me that I have taught them. As their confidence increases with this type of exercise, they feel more competent to attempt questions on their own.

How would you help a student stay motivated?

Usually students lose motivation because of how they perceive a subject or if they have encountered a roadblock. The key is to present the material from different angles and keep the student engaged in the learning process. Lecturing students is boring for the students.

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

I ask them what they find difficult with the topic first. Then, I ask them to tell me as much as they understand. I then use the part they understand and connect it to other things related to that concept. Concept mapping helps in scenarios like that. If other basic skills are the culprit, then we take a step back and reinforce those concepts before moving on to the complex topics.

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

Practice makes perfect, and guided reading makes the practice easier. Breaking down the reading into smaller sections with guided questions helps the student to focus a lot better. I also like to ask the student to read a paragraph and then summarize it for me in their own words.

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

A judgement free zone is a great facilitator for learning. When students feel comfortable with making mistakes then they are also more open to learning from those mistakes. They also ask more questions, which helps me know that they are thinking critically.

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

I use a pen tablet and One Note to conduct my lessons.

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

Creating a safe and encouraging environment is a place to start. I encourage students to ask questions even if they think it isn't that important. I also encourage students to answer the questions I ask even if they are not sure of the correct answer. With each mistake they don't feel bad and instead take it as a chance to learn. And, with each question they get correct where they were unsure, their confidence gets a boost. I also like to ask my students to explain concepts to me as if I was their student.