What is your teaching philosophy?

Different learning styles require different teaching styles. I try to assess the students' strengths and weaknesses, and I strengthen the weak points while refining the strong points. I attempt to do this while beginning at a basic starting point in the studies, then we work our way up to more challenging concepts.

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

I usually try to understand why the student is taking the course in the first place, and then I try to understand why he or she is in need of a tutor. For example, if the student is having trouble understanding a subject, we may have to focus on basic concepts first; if the student is versed in the subject and would like to sharpen his or her skills, we may decide to focus on the more advanced topics.

How can you help a student become an independent learner?

There are many wonderful learning strategies I have learned in medical school. Some of these include repetition of important concepts, drawing diagrams to "see the whole picture," and quizzing myself as I study. I plan to use similar strategies with students, while mentioning that "this is one of the things I do in my own studies."

How would you help a student stay motivated?

Students have lots of fun interests, some of which are not related to what we'll be working on. I understand that some students may be enrolled in a biology class because it is required to graduate, so I try to make learning the subject matter as relevant as possible to each individual (even though they may major in a non-related field).