What is your teaching philosophy?

I believe every student has the ability to learn and to improve themselves. It is our job to teach them to enjoy learning and make them understand how important it is for them.

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

A first session is the time to learn about each other. I always make my students feel comfortable and important. Then I need to know what they need in order to succeed.

How would you help a student stay motivated?

My lessons engage the student and make the lesson and the subject important and enjoyable. If the student likes the subject and no longer finds it intimidating, motivation takes care of itself.

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

I would try a different approach. Students learn in different ways, and sometimes we need to change the lesson for them.

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

Make the student feel comfortable and important. Then I show how the problem is not as difficult as it may seem at first.

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

Take the mystery out of the subject or the problem, and show the student that it is easier than they first think.

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

The student must be assessed in order to understand what they have learned. This could be a quiz or verbal feedback to questions.