What is your teaching philosophy?

"I cannot teach anybody anything, I can only make them think." --Socrates

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

In the first session, I like to get to know the student a little bit and determine how they tackle the material so that I can determine which good habits might be helpful to share with them.

How can you help a student become an independent learner?

Helping a student become an independent learner is about helping the student learn how to think, not about shoving material down their throat.

How would you help a student stay motivated?

I like to motivate my students with a lot of positive reinforcement and encouragement--let the students know when they are doing a good job!

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

When students have issues learning, I try asking them to explain what they understand. Usually from the foundation of what they have, we can build up to the full concept.

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

When I start work with a new student, I try to let them take the lead at least a little and see how they normally work, so that I know what the next step is. It is a process!

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

When a student is not excited about learning new material, I try to explain how the material is relevant to everyday life.

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

To make sure a student understands the material, I let the student take the lead on a practice problem or try to explain the material to me. That way I can see what their understanding is.

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

I build confidence with a lot of encouragement, letting the students know that I am seeing them do it! They are capable!

How do you evaluate a student's needs?

I tend to evaluate a student's needs by watching and observing how they think and learn. As they learn the material from me, I learn the best way to teach each individual student.

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

During a tutoring session, I usually use textbooks, calculators, and most importantly, practice problems!

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

I adapt my tutoring to the student's needs by checking in with them, and asking them if they understand what's going on and if it is helpful to them. It is important to know what the purpose of each session is.

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

When students struggle with reading comprehension and learning, I ask them to read out loud, and I help build their confidence.