What is your teaching philosophy?

My personal philosophy is that every child can learn math. If we focus on that learning rather than the time it takes the child to learn, more children will experience learning.

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

I would first seek to understand the assignment topic, find out what it is that the child does not understand about the topic, explain the foundation, and then work simpler problems with increasing complexity to help the student understand before allowing them to try solo (while I observe and assist where needed).

How can you help a student become an independent learner?

Students who have opportunities to build their self esteem/ability to work math problems correctly and consistently with very little supervision will become independent learners.

How would you help a student stay motivated?

By sitting with a student one-on-one, not necessarily in the classroom setting, monitoring as the student attempts to solve problems, and allowing the student to ask questions and openly express concerns of confusion, students will continue to be motivated, because they know you care.

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

I explain using simple problems and relating the problems to them personally. I allow the student to work simple problems on their own, and then I gradually increase the complexity of the problems.

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

Relating the problem to something that students understand and reading the problem for them; also, listening to them as they read and explain what they think the problem is saying.

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

I like to become familiar with the students mathematics concerns and what the student perceives to be the "problem" as to why they are experiencing difficulty with math.

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

Excitement comes naturally after the student realizes that they can experience success.

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

I explain, model a problem, allow questions/comments, give the student a similar problem, and guide their efforts.

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

Once the student realizes they can work simple problems, their self-confidence improves and they then try more difficult ones.

How do you evaluate a student's needs?

I make note of the errors that the student makes in computation, etc. Thus, I am able to redirect the student and correct misconceptions.

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

Based on observed deficiencies, I explain to the student that certain concepts need to be changed. I ensure that the student understands that from here on in, the need to forget former concepts and build new experiences is mandatory. I then seek to help the student to build new skills.

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

Where applicable, a dry erase board and markers. Otherwise, notebook paper, pencil, and a textbook if available.