What is your teaching philosophy?

I really believe in the fact that every child is smart in their own ways, and has the ability to learn anything and be successful. I believe that all children learn differently and at different paces, and that is great! I want to help all kids be successful and truly love learning!

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

I want to get to know the student. Building a relationship and trust between me and the student is a very important first step. Next, I want to help them to feel comfortable and relaxed, so that we can really delve into what they are needing to learn, and how to best go about helping them out.

How can you help a student become an independent learner?

This really comes from the method in which I teach them. I am there to help guide them, but not to give away answers or constantly tell them every little step. It's important that they learn by themselves and gain the ability to achieve anything by themselves.

How would you help a student stay motivated?

I think keeping the lesson fun as much as possible, but most of all always using encouragement for every little achievement. This helps the student build confidence in the knowledge they do have and motivates them to learn more.

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

I would assess what exactly they are struggling with, and figure out how to better explain or teach it to them so that it makes sense.

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

I could use a couple of different ideas on this, but I would really encourage the students to practice as much as possible, and to find something that is interesting to them. If they are reading something they enjoy, they are more likely to pay attention and comprehend what is happening, which can help them build the skills they would need to comprehend any reading text.

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

This completely depends on the student, but I always use a lot of encouragement and work on building their confidence. I also like to make subjects that students can relate to, because I think this helps them stay motivated and truly want to learn.

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

Making a subject fun and something they can relate to is extremely important, especially if a student is struggling with a certain concept.

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

I may ask the student to explain the problem to me in their own words, or give them another practice question to see if they can figure out a similar problem using the correct method. Also, paying attention to their tone and body language will help me see how confident they feel with the concept, or not.

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

I think practice is a big part of building confidence in any subject, and I definitely would encourage them to practice a few similar questions until they feel more sure of themselves and their answer. I would also like to encourage them, even with their small victories.

How do you evaluate a student's needs?

Observing their thought process on a certain subject will help me see what and where they are struggling. Also, listening to their concerns and where they are confused will help me see where their need lies.

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

It is important to be flexible when teaching, and I am always up for a new challenge. Therefore, as I get to know my students, their needs, and how they learn, I will be adapting my tutoring styles to fit their needs to help them be successful.

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

I would use the materials available to us on the tutoring site, but I may use alternate sources if need be or if I need to research a subject further. I would also utilize mentors of mine if I needed some guidance or ideas for helping a particular student understand something.