What is your teaching philosophy?

I make it easier to understand curriculum by emphasizing simplicity: What do we want to know? What do we know? How can we bridge the gap? I can help you learn in many different ways, but you always start with those answers.

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

I'll introduce myself, immediately make sure that the student and I have the same goals, and establish a timeline for measuring progress/success.

How can you help a student become an independent learner?

I help students understand that getting the right answer is not always the goal. The goal is being able to repeat it, explain it, and even teach it.

How would you help a student stay motivated?

Students will stay motivated with both short- and long-term incentives. From snack/stretch breaks to better grades, everything can be broken down into goals to be met.

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

I start by having a student watch me do it. If that doesn't work, I work a problem backward and see if we can meet in the middle. Finally, I let them take a break and move on, coming back to the topic with fresh eyes and new strategies.

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

I try to make sure that we know what the tutoring time is for. I am open to using it for practice, actual work completion, or whatever, but we don't want to waste anyone's time if we have goals to meet.

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

The student and I would find a reason why that subject could be important/useful to them. Whether it be completion = promotion to the next grade or implementation/application makes future subjects easier.