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

In the first session, I would like to learn a bit about the student's strengths and weaknesses. I would take this time to get to know the student and let them get to know me better.

How can you help a student become an independent learner?

As students become more comfortable with concepts, I like to take a step back and let them do it on their own; if they have questions, I am there to help.

How would you help a student stay motivated?

Before starting a new concept, we would make a list of goals they want to achieve; as they approach those goals, we can check them off together. This helps them to stay motivated to make the next goal.

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

Try a different approach. Everyone learns differently, so they might just need to see it taught in a new way.

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

Breaking the writing down into parts of the whole. This way, they get to see each part rather than being bogged down by trying to understand the whole at once. At the end, they can put the parts together. Another important part of this is figuring out what part of reading is giving them trouble. For example, some students have trouble understanding words while others don't understand syntax.

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

Many students like to learn through games. I like to introduce learning with fun.

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

I would have them teach me as if I didn't know the material.

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

If possible, I will teach a few different ways to get to the same answer. This way, they can choose which way best suits them. If those don't work, I will try to find out where they are getting stuck so I can find a way to help them.

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

I use a mixture of their school materials, online resources, and games.

What is your teaching philosophy?

Learning should be fun and interactive.