What is your teaching philosophy?

I consider it important to encourage students to think rationally and to gain understanding rather than memorizing. That will help them solve problems in any subject, not only the one they are learning at the moment. I think that a good teacher helps students to get interested in the topic, which can be done by showing how it is applied in everyday life. It is good to have questions and wonder why things happen, and it is important to try to look for those answers.

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

In a first session with a student, I would like to get to know a little about them and tell them a little about me. I think it is important to set some goals and start coming up with a plan so that we can reach those goals.

How can you help a student become an independent learner?

I can help students become independent learners by encouraging them to ask questions and to try to find the answers on their own, without simply telling them the answer. I can help them find a studying technique that they like and that they are comfortable with.

How would you help a student stay motivated?

I would help a student stay motivated by giving them feedback on their progress, showing them how they have improved. I would show them that every little step makes a difference, helping everyone become better every day.

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

I would try to find different ways to explain that concept and probably try different studying techniques-- having a visual explanation, explaining with simple concepts, using everyday examples, and trying to make the student come up with examples of their own.

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

An important part of reading comprehension is the vocabulary. So, I would encourage them to look for words that they do not understand, find the meaning, and understand what the word is saying in a particular sentence. I would also help them with summarizing what they understand from what they are reading in order to start understanding the text as a whole. I would encourage them to ask questions, and I'd also ask them questions that they can answer about the text.

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

Something that always got me excited about learning a subject was learning about how the material connects to everyday life. I think that knowing why a certain subject matters makes it more exciting. It is exciting to see what role different subjects play in the things that are happening around us, for example, how science is important for the technology that we use every day. I also think that there are certain studying techniques that can be fun, and it is important to find a learning technique that is best suited for the student.

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

I would ask the student questions or ask them to solve problems. I would also encourage the students to ask questions about what they do not understand to make sure that they are getting all the information they need to get a better understanding, and are not afraid of asking questions.

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

I show them that they can do it. I give them feedback on what they have done right and show them that every step matters.