What is your teaching philosophy?

I believe that teaching should nurture and nourish the mind. It is the teacher's responsibility to provide the sustenance that a student needs to gain knowledge. If the right amount of nourishment and nurturing is provided, the student will have the tools to overcome whatever obstacles come his or her way.

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

I like getting to know my student during the first session. I ask questions about their interests, what he or she likes and dislikes about the subject, and ask a few diagnostic questions related to the subject to determine the best way to teach the student.

How would you help a student stay motivated?

It is important for students to feel proud of their work. Giving them encouragement, such as compliments or small treats, helps with motivation and makes them feel proud of themselves.

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

If a student had a hard time learning a skill or concept, I would try to find a different way to teach it. There are always different ways to teach tricky concepts; it just requires a little extra creativity.

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

I find that students who struggle with reading comprehension also have a hard time with the vocabulary used in the reading. I would go over the challenging words in the reading and then start with really broad questions about the overall story. Then, as the student gets more confident, I would ask more difficult comprehension questions.

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

I find that if I am interested in what I am teaching, my students are interested in learning about it. Even with the most difficult subjects, if I am excited to teach it, my students will enjoy learning.

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

I would try to find a way to make the subject more relatable to the student. If the student can find a connection to what is being taught, it becomes more interesting.

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

I ask a lot of review questions to ensure comprehension. In addition to that, I ask questions that go a bit beyond what they have learned to see if they can apply what was taught.

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

I try to highlight what the student does well, regardless how small. That helps the student feel good about his or her work.

How do you evaluate a student's needs?

I evaluate a student's needs by observing how they react to certain types of questions. If they react positively, I know that the student feels confident. If the student reacts negatively, I know that the student is not comfortable.

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

I try to be as flexible as I can when I teach. I try to prepare two different ways to teach the same lesson. Everyone learns differently, so it is important for teachers to be flexible and adaptable.

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

I use books, newspapers, the Internet, and pencil and paper when I tutor.

How can you help a student become an independent learner?

I try to make my students feel comfortable and confident in their ability. Then once I know that the student feels good, I let the student take more initiative in what and how they learn.