What is your teaching philosophy?

My teaching philosophy is to keep the content relevant to the student in some way, and give them ownership in their own learning.

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

In a typical first session, I try to learn about the student and their personal learning style.

How can you help a student become an independent learner?

This can be achieved by allowing the student to make mistakes and providing supports for them to correct their own errors.

How would you help a student stay motivated?

I would provide continuous positive reinforcement and personal reassurance.

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

I would find a way to relate the skill or concept to prior knowledge or personal interest.

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

I encourage students to break their reading down in order to narrow the focus from which part(s) they understand and which part(s) are giving them trouble.

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

Taking time to initially learn about them and listening to what they feel they need in order to be successful.

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

I would relate the subject to personal areas of interest or hobbies to get them further invested.

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

Assessments (formal/informal), open-ended questions, conversations about the material, and allowing the student to assume the role of the teacher.

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

Start small and build up to more rigorous content.

How do you evaluate a student's needs?

By first trying to identify the student's strengths in order to narrow the focus to areas of possible growth.

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

I keep in mind that all students learn differently and start in different places. I adapt by focusing on the student's learning style and their prior knowledge.

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

Manipulatives, technology (computer), visual-aids (pictures), paper and pencil.