What is your teaching philosophy?

Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime. Chinese Proverb

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

In a typical first session, a student and I would get to know each other and the student's concerns regarding the subject matter.

How can you help a student become an independent learner?

I can teach students to become independent students by teaching them HOW to learn to begin with. Those first principles are invaluable across disciplines.

How would you help a student stay motivated?

It's important to make learning fun. When we see how what we're learning relates to our own lives and interests, learning becomes fun and something we look forward to.

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

When difficulty learning a skill or concept comes up, the opportunity to approach that same skill from a different angle or vantage point presents itself as well. Sometimes just looking at something from a different perspective makes all the difference in learning.

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

Admittedly, I was one of those people who struggled with Critical Reading and Reading Comprehension growing up. However, I overcame those struggles and know from my own personal experience the very mental road blocks that prevent people from realizing their Critical Reading and Reading Comprehension potential.

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

The Basics. It is always crucial to check a student's understanding of starting principles so that we can build on up from there.

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

People enjoy the things they excel in and, unfortunately, our struggles with subjects sometimes reinforce our dislike of those subjects. Once a student learns the skills and mindset necessary to do well in a subject, they may be surprised to see that they actually enjoy the subject.

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

It is one thing to be taught, but it is another thing to actually do. As a tutor, I would teach students the relevant mindsets and approaches for a given topic, but I would also give them numerous opportunities to solve and answer questions for themselves.

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

Once a student starts to do well and see progress, his/her confidence skyrockets.

How do you evaluate a student's needs?

Trial and Error. Sometimes we have to see how things go and feel things out so that we can best evaluate and understand a student's individual needs.

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

It is important to adjust one's manner of tutoring to a student's level of understanding of a given topic.

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

Pen, paper, and pencil. Those are the biggies, but color also adds some fun. So, don't be surprised if I bring multicolored highlighters and pens!