What is your teaching philosophy?

It is my firm belief that anyone can learn anything. I can help break down complex, abstract subjects into manageable pieces to create the building blocks needed for learning.

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

A first session is about finding out where you're at in the learning process so that I can meet you on your level. I want to address your needs so that we can tackle your goals together.

How would you help a student stay motivated?

Being motivated is all about setting realistic goals. Instead of trying to master an entire subject all at once, let's work on improving on specific areas and topics to build up your knowledge base and strengthen your skills.

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

Excitement is all about how you look at something. Math is a common subject that people struggle to engage with, so I'll help you apply it in a way that interests you. Math has applications in biology, physics, astronomy, physiology, and more. Let's find an approach that fits within your passions.

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

Concept checks are crucial to engage in active learning. Instead of having tests that cover large swaths of material, let's practice problems that check your understanding of individual concepts so that we can target exactly what we need to work on together.

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

It depends on the student. I've used flashcards, whiteboard drawings, stories, mini-quizzes, and presentations. Each student learns in a specific way, so I will cater my tools to your individual learning style.

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

The first step is to look at all the parts of the concept and break it into little pieces. Is it the terminology that's the issue, or is it a technical piece? When we find what the issue is, we can turn that piece and look at it from another perspective to help understand it.

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

There are two main ways I help students build their confidence. The first is to show them how much they already know and demonstrate what they've learned working together with me. The second is to illuminate the subject we're working on and show them it's not an impossible task by structuring learning in a step-by-step process that can be slowly mastered.

How do you evaluate a student's needs?

I evaluate a student's needs by checking their understanding of individual concepts to see where the problem areas exist, and by really listening. Often, the student knows what curve balls they're struggling with. I'll listen and make sure that I'm addressing their personal needs.

How can you help a student become an independent learner?

I can help students become independent learners by working with them to develop strategies that will help them tackle new material and new concepts.