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

Conduct introductions, determine student's goals, and begin to review the material.

How can you help a student become an independent learner?

I help the student develop good habits, and typically ask them what the next step in a problem is before telling them.

How would you help a student stay motivated?

By finding a way in which the material is relevant to their lives.

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

For concepts, I try to explain the basic components and provide plenty of examples. For skills, I typically will show a few examples and then give them some to practice.

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

I usually begin by determining how well the student understands the material and what they struggle with, and then present the material accordingly.

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

Explaining the subject's real-world applications or, if possible, demonstrating the applications.

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

I might ask them to solve problems related to the material. Sometimes I might ask basic conceptual questions.

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

I will offer assurance and encouragement, but I will focus on developing their understanding of the subject. I find that confidence develops naturally in students that know the material.

How do you evaluate a student's needs?

I ask them, but make sure to see how they deal with the subject material.

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

I make sure that I am addressing their needs through a combination of communication with the student and observing how they deal with the subject.

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

I typically use the student's course work and make sure they have paper and a pencil. Ideally, I also have a whiteboard and a marker.

What is your teaching philosophy?

Teaching is the activity of developing someone's understanding of a subject. It involves patiently attending to what the student understands, how they learn, and why they should learn something. A teacher, then, is someone who understands the subject and knows how to convey the material to the student.

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

Help them understand how to identify the main point. Typically, that involves getting the student to summarize what they're reading. Then, once that is done, I help them work out the details.