What is your teaching philosophy?

Teaching requires being conscious of different learning styles, accommodating and integrating the material to fit each individual student. It is essential to clarify difficult topics, lead through complex areas in a conversational format and find ways to put knowledge into context. Feedback from both parties is necessary to gain an understanding of knowledge. Further, mutual respect is vital to the teacher/student relationship in order to foster greater learning.

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

Identify what the student is having trouble with by asking questions and set goals collaboratively.

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

Try different techniques to help the student learn, such as explaining in different ways using real world examples or drawing pictures. Additionally, quiz the student periodically to fully engage them and make sure the material is truly being retained.

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

Help the student to break down each concept in an organized manner, then help them to put the pieces together. Additionally, asking questions about what the author is trying to say on a broad level can often help a student break down the smaller parts.

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

Asking questions to understand what the student already knows and what they need to work on. It is helpful to develop an understanding of how the student learns best and what strategies they have already tried, building new skills for studying and learning.

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

Quiz the student by asking them questions relevant to the material. I ask the student to explain the concept to me, and I help them fill in the gaps of what is not yet known.

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

By giving lots of positive reinforcing feedback. Continually encouraging the student that, though the subject may be difficult now, we will work through it together. Lastly, the student's confidence will build once it is pointed out that they have succeeded.