What is your teaching philosophy?

My philosophy of teaching is based on a belief that learning needs to be student-centered and that students need to be equal partners in the learning process. My role involves using my expertise to put the necessary resources in the hands of the students or, more likely, to be sure that my students are well equipped to find and evaluate the resources they need to answer their questions.

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

In a typical first session, I would attempt to get to know the student more. I would also assess their strengths and weaknesses in terms of the subject they are learning and plan accordingly.

How would you help a student stay motivated?

In order to help a student stay motivated, you need to help them enjoy what they are learning. Most of the time, students are uninterested in subjects and tend to not give them their full attention. The first step is to get them interested and also make learning enjoyable.

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

If a student has difficulty learning a skill or concept, I would first break it down and start from the beginning to see where the difficulty arises. Next, I would lead them in the right direction and have them try to problem solve to figure out the problem. It is important for students to be able to develop the ability to try different methods in solving a problem, and try to do it without any external help.

How can you help a student become an independent learner?

In order to help a student become an independent learner, the first step is to ingrain the values of confidence, hard work, and creativity. Students need to be able to dedicate time to be the best versions of themselves they can be, and they need to be confident in their abilities. Typically, students are reluctant to sit there and figure out a problem because they are prone to easily giving up and immediately seeking help since they are discouraged. However, by utilizing their talents along with their creativity, it will allow them to think outside the box in order to solve complex problems.

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

The first step is to determine the process the student goes through when they are assigned a reading and how they tackle that reading. Next, you try to figure out the flaws in their methods and try to show them new ways in reading comprehension. The most efficient way is to break down each paragraph, dissecting every sentence to better understand everything.

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

I find that getting to know the student on a more personal level is one of the best things you can do; it allows the student to be more comfortable around you and will let them perform better. With this, the next best thing to do is figure out their strengths and weaknesses with the subject you're working with them on and orient sessions around that.

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

Getting a student excited about a subject is all about relating it to something they are familiar with. Students are discouraged by subjects they don't know and with material they think won't be useful in the future. So, by relating it to something they are familiar with and demonstrating how it is useful/necessary for them, they will be more easily engaged.

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

The best way to see if a student understands the material is to have them teach it back to you.

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

Building a student's confidence in a subject revolves their interest in the subject and how it can relate to them. By breaking the subject down in a way they can understand, it will aid in building their confidence by showing them it isn't really as frightening as they initially thought.

How do you evaluate a student's needs?

Evaluating the student's needs is all about getting on a personal level with the student and talking with them, discussing their strengths/weaknesses, and then addressing their needs from there.

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

During a session, I use the materials the students are provided in their courses and any material I find/create that I think is useful pertaining to the subject at hand.

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

I adapt my tutoring to my student's needs by revolving each session around tackling their issues and striving to overcome them.