What is your teaching philosophy?

My teaching philosophy focuses on emphasizing the importance of students understanding how to think independently and critically. Students who begin to learn to think independently and form their own ideologies early on are often much more successful as scholars and as adults; they are less likely to accept everything they're told at face value and more likely to question and critique the world they live in.

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

If the student and I are meeting for a consistent period of time, I usually like to set aside the first few minutes for us to get to know each other a bit. The more I know about the student in question (likes/dislikes, how he/she learns best, aspirations, and so on), the more readily I will be able to tailor my tutoring styles to his/her needs. I also like to emphasize the importance of goal-making with all of my students (long- or short-term). By setting realistic, attainable goals for themselves, students are more likely to build important skill sets (time management, critical thinking, problem-solving, etc.) and work harder to achieve the goals they've set out for themselves.