Rafi

What is your teaching philosophy?

My teaching philosophy is that students teach themselves, and I am just a guide that shows them the correct way for them to learn.

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

In the first session, depending on the subject, I would give the student an assessment test. I generally teach organic chemistry. I ask the students what topics they are struggling in most. Then, I ask them what topics they find easy. I make the assessment based on their replies. I know that every student is different, so I get a feel for what the student's learning style is in the first session by carefully monitoring them and the way they approach the problems in the assessment.

How can you help a student become an independent learner?

My teaching philosophy revolves around making the student learn by themselves. I give hints on how to solve the problems. Then, I ask questions that, if answered correctly, would allow them to solve the problem at hand. I seldom show students how to do a problem right away without them attempting it first.

How would you help a student stay motivated?

I would help a student stay motivated by showing them that they can definitely do any problem with the proper guidance and effort. I also show students examples of successful people who have strived hard and achieved their goals. I make sure that the student knows the value of a good education and doing well in school. I share personal and peer experiences that highlight the value of doing well in the specific subject areas.

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

If a student is struggling to learn a concept, I would spend extra time trying to teach that concept or skill to the student. The first step would be to identify exactly which aspect the student is having difficulties with, and then I would go though a few of those problems and guide the student through them. I would show them multiple ways of doing that problem and see which method they are most comfortable with.

How do you evaluate a student's needs?

I evaluate a student's needs by doing an assessment test in the subject for which they need help. I tell the students to star any problem that they guessed on or that they found difficult. I go over all of the student's answers to make sure that the student fully understands. I also ask the student about their needs. I ask them about what kind of a learner they are, i.e. visual, tactile, etc. The student and I then work together to make sure that they receive the most help in the topic(s) that they need it in.

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

I believe every student is different. I ask the student if they know what type of learner they are. I ask them what helps them the most, i.e. pictures, videos, sounds, etc. I then make the best effort to teach the student in this manner. If I notice that a student is having difficulty with a topic one day, I would make sure I bring an assessment for that topic the next session so that I know that I taught the topic to the student's understanding.

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

I use PowerPoint slides, videos online, textbooks that the student provides or one that I bring, practice tests that I have, as well as tests that the student has. I also use the students' homework to make practice problems.

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

I ask a student many questions on the same topic to make sure that a student has understood it. I also have test banks, especially for the subjects that I teach the most (Chemistry and Organic Chemistry). These test banks are separated into topics. Once I teach a topic, I make sure that the student can answer every question on that topic with ease before moving on to the next one.

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

I would first read the passage by myself, and then after reading it I would look at the questions. Then I would make the student read the passage out loud initially, and while they read, I would point out the key parts of the passage. I would do this a few times so the student understands what the key parts are. After that, I would let the student read passages silently and have them underline and star the key points in the passage.