What is your teaching philosophy?

My teaching philosophy is to lead the student through the problem, and, as much as possible, to let the student discover the answer on their own.

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

I would talk to the student to discover how they learn, and take a look at their coursework and homework to determine where the student might benefit most from instruction.

How can you help a student become an independent learner?

By allowing students to discover the answer on their own with subtle guidance rather than by dictating prescribed methods, you can encourage a student to strike out on their own.

How would you help a student stay motivated?

It always helps a student stay motivated to bring the task back to one of their interests and relate it to things that they already know and love.

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

Be patient. Not every path makes sense to every child. I would try to approach the problem from another angle.

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

Go slowly. Read out loud. Do pages twice: once to sound out the phonetics, and then another to read at a more advanced speed and recognize the words as they come.

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

Simply being kind and patient with a student is often the most beneficial start to a tutoring relationship.

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

I would relate the subject to one of the child's interests, finding a way to make them see the subject from an angle they had yet to consider.

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

An informal Q&A session after every task ("Why do you think...?" or "How come...?") helps ensure that the student grasps the material.

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

By praising their work and reinforcing the progress they've made.

How do you evaluate a student's needs?

By talking to the student and examining their past tests/homework.

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

I see what works and what doesn't and emphasize the former. I attempt to engage the student by appealing to their interests.

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

The student's own textbook and homework are the primary source, but I also use Internet articles or books where I feel they're appropriate.