What is your teaching philosophy?

Teachers should engage their students and always strive to be more effective.

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

I would get to know the student and pinpoint the specific issues they have in a particular subject.

How can you help a student become an independent learner?

I would go through an example, showing the student the step-by-step methods necessary to achieve the correct answer. Then, I would have the student complete a similar problem independently.

How would you help a student stay motivated?

I always describe myself as a student's cheerleader. Nothing makes me happier than helping a student achieve their goals. Motivation comes from the positive reinforcement I employ.

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

I would go back to the basics and show how the concept is actually a natural progression from an easier concept. Then, we would practice the new topic with several examples.

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

I find underlining key words and phrases tremendously aids in reading comprehension. Also, many students who struggle with reading comprehension get hung up on difficult vocabulary, so I would define any new words in a fun and exciting way.

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

The best strategy is to make the student comfortable with explaining exactly where the issues lie. Communication is key when first starting with a student.

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

I would create a game based on the topic.

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

I would have the student prove that they have learned the material by either assigning homework or having them show me how to work through a similar problem without any assistance.

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

I would start at the basics. Once a foundation is built, we would step-by-step continue adding material to already familiar concepts.

How do you evaluate a student's needs?

I ask what they would like to achieve in our tutoring sessions, and systematically proceed making those goals a reality.

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

I listen to them. Whether a student is more visual or needs a quiet environment for working, I am keenly aware of what needs to be done to make them more comfortable.

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

I usually use texts, paper, pens, and a calculator. If a subject requires additional references, I use my laptop to show the student supplementary online resources.