What is your teaching philosophy?

Every student has the ability to learn, it is just a matter of finding a way to make the info "stick" in their minds. I like to find ways to relate difficult concepts to a student's interests and hobbies.

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

Introductions, asking if the student has had a tutor in the past, figuring out the student's learning style via questions like: "what does your favorite teacher do that you like?" and building on that.

How can you help a student become an independent learner?

A lot of tutoring can be independent. I like to teach my students to read difficult concepts slowly and then use me to check their understanding.

How would you help a student stay motivated?

Everyone has a different motivator, be it sports, public recognition, or an inherent drive. Once I figure out what the student wants from tutoring, I can find ways to remind them of what they are working towards.

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

First, ask the student what they think the concept means. From there, I can either guide them to a more correct answer or work on the basics to achieve competency.

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

I understand that sometimes reading seems like just seeing letters on a page. Personally, I like to take breaks after each paragraph and digest the information. I teach my students to do this as well.

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

Identifying the motivation level of the student, their preferred learning style, and their goals. From there, I can cater to their needs. For example, a student who wants to simply pass a class doesn't need to know the tiny details, but the student wanting an A absolutely needs to.

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

I find relating the subject in some way to their lives helps them gain interest. Sometimes it's just a lesson in perseverance though.

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

I like to ask concept-based questions periodically, including older material, to see if the student can make connections and build on the basics.

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

After ensuring the student understands the material, I like to ask easier questions and slowly build up to challenging ones. If the student begins to struggle, I will pepper in more easy questions. This way, they are able to look back and see they can get questions right.

How do you evaluate a student's needs?

I like to ask the student first what they want, and then I ask what they realistically need to achieve.

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

I work with students to learn what they do and do not like, and incorporate their answers in my teaching style.

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

Textbooks, pictures, and videos.