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

The session would begin with brief and lighthearted introductions. Additionally, I would evaluate the student's learning needs through their recounts, the observations of any parents, and a few questions with varying levels of difficulty. From that lesson, I would teach the way the student learns best.

How can you help a student become an independent learner?

Focus on the application. Knowing how to use knowledge in the real world will help you more than recalling a traditional definition. Furthermore, developing efficient study habits and motivation will encourage the student to become independent.

How would you help a student stay motivated?

Positive reinforcement, competitions, and even candy rewards are my 'tools of motivation.'

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

I would spend as much time as the student needs on that concept to understand it. I may try explaining the concept in a different way or present a real life application that the student can relate to.

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

Simple. Read more. I know from personal experience that I was not great at reading comprehension. I was able to read series books because they were interesting, but literature was initially a challenge for me. I would attempt to find reading material that the student is interested in. The interest would improve his/her motivation. Once he/she has motivation, the reading would gradually become easier and less explanations would be needed.

What is your teaching philosophy?

I follow a holistic philosophy of learning and application. I stress application the most because it is the most efficient way of determining effective learning.

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

Find their type of humor and crack some jokes. Although learning is a serious matter, it should also be enjoyable to some degree.

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

Start them out with some simple questions about the subject to show them what success feels like. Once they achieve that feeling, they will be prompted to work hard and advance.

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

I would ask them questions during lessons, try to bring back previous material, ask them to form questions, and even ask them to give me real life examples.

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

Start simple and work your way up. With this accelerated learning speed and a lot of positive reinforcement, a student's confidence should skyrocket once they see the success they achieve.

How do you evaluate a student's needs?

If the student does not directly tell me their needs, I will evaluate them by asking them questions of varying difficulty. Furthermore, I will take into account the observations of any relatives or teachers on their learning behavior.

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

Focus on what they struggle on. Quality over quantity. I would rather the student understand one topic extremely well than eight topics moderately well.

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

I use whatever the student provides. However, if they do not have materials, I will suggest them. For mentally stronger students, I would recommend workbooks from Baron's. For students who are not as strong, I would recommend less rigorous books.