What is your teaching philosophy?

I believe interaction and discussion is often the best way to learn. If a student wants to know something, I will do my best to provide the answer. If I don't know the answer, I will find out and then get back to them.

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

I would learn about the student first: the student's preferred learning style, what he or she is struggling with, how I can best help make learning a positive experience.

How can you help a student become an independent learner?

By helping the student see the rewards of learning so that she or he is motivated to learn.

How would you help a student stay motivated?

I believe in honest encouragement, focusing on the student's strengths and accomplishments, then moving to more challenging aspects, continuing with encouragement along the way.

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

I would try to identify what the student is having trouble with, then try to break it down to the basics of that skill or concept, in order to build the student's confidence and skill level.

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

Take the pressure off, slow down and give them lots of encouragement.

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

Presenting information and then having a conversation about it, listening well and allowing the student freedom of expression.

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

By helping the student see that he or she is smart enough to succeed, by reminding the student of past successes.

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

I would have a conversation with the student about the material, asking pertinent questions, and encourage the student to use her or his own words.

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

Find their strengths and compliment them on those, then help them to strengthen their weaknesses with encouragement and open listening.

How do you evaluate a student's needs?

First, I listen to them and jot down the areas they feel they need help with. Then, I take a look at their work, noting the places I think they could use help in.

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

By listening to them and observing what they most need, and making those issues my first priority.

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

My mind and my heart.