What is your teaching philosophy?

Repetition is the most important method of learning mathematics! Practicing good habits and solving problems with multiple approaches, math is not always a one way street.

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

A learning assessment on the subject the student is working on, background knowledge of what they know and how to gauge the pace they work at, and how to imply methodologies of the subject.

How can you help a student become an independent learner?

Encourage independent study. Lots of people don't understand that there is a great deal of reading that goes along with learning math. Pull the equations and practice writing out all steps.

How would you help a student stay motivated?

Incorporate tests at the end of each lesson plan so the student can see their progress as they're learning. Seeing self improvement can be motivating within itself.

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

Approach the concept using a real life scenario to make the subject more relatable. If not that, complete a problem for them and let them learn the steps by practicing problems on the subject using the steps given.

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

Help the student decipher what information is useful and what is trivial.

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

Interactive study works best with most students. Don't just talk AT the student, talk WITH the student, involve them in their own learning process. Push them in the right direction, but don't take them completely down the path.

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

Every subject learned has a real life or tangible relation. Sometimes using that can hold a student's interest and build on their motivation for the subject.

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

Go over the problems/questions by starting off with easy questions and then increasing the question difficulty by adding a twist or altering certain things to ensure in depth subject comprehension.

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

Testing! When tutoring, give students short tests in their lesson plan to show them that they understand the subject matter without the crutch of a tutor.

How do you evaluate a student's needs?

Assess the student by giving the student a test and then asking the student, "what about the subject confuses you?" Walk through the problems/questions with them and ask, " what part don't you get?" When they reply, walk through the problem with them in a nonaggressive approach. Let them understand you are here to learn and not judge them.

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

Find out what the student is interested in! Every student is different; play into the student's character to help their learning process.

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

Pencils and paper of course, but also a whiteboard, highlighters, and pens, if necessary. I'd also use clocks and stopwatches-- performance isn't always understanding, you have a time limit too.