What is your teaching philosophy?

I believe that each student learns at their own pace and in their own way. The key is to find what helps them understand the material (e.g., it could be using dinosaurs to explain basic mathematics or showing how advanced mathematics works in the real world).

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

Typically, before we jump into any material, I would try to get to know the student on a more personal level and ultimately find out where they are having trouble.

How can you help a student become an independent learner?

By making the subject fun, so they will have some kind of interest in it. Having that innate interest in a subject helps them to pursue it themselves.

How would you help a student stay motivated?

Incentives and competition. Having goals, both short-term and long-term, as well as something to make them strive for those goals. Incentives provide a reward for reaching long-term goals, and competition helps to pass the short-term goals.

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

It depends on the concept. The best way to learn an advanced concept is to go back to the basics. Any advanced concept is the makeup of several basic concepts put together. Really nailing down those basics is key (in math, for example-- addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division).

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

Reading comprehension is not really my strong suit. I stick more to mathematics.

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

Repetition. And understanding how that student learns best, either by being shown or by working through it themselves.

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

The best way is for me to keep my up-beat attitude and make things fun.

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

Worksheets, tests. As much as I hate tests, the best way to really know if someone understands the material is by giving tests.

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

Repetition. The best way to instill confidence in an area is for the student to do it repetitively.

How do you evaluate a student's needs?

The best way to understand a student's needs is to really take the time to understand where that particular student is struggling. If they are struggling with an advanced concept, then maybe there is a basic concept that they didn't understand completely.

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

I want to know where they are struggling and how they learn best. Then, I adjust accordingly.

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

Book, worksheets, and anything that makes it fun and interesting.