What is your teaching philosophy?

My goal is to help my students become more effective self-directed learners - to be able to identify their own weak spots and understand the best ways to improve.

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

My first session is always an assessment session. I sit down with my students and go over where improvements need to be made, what progress the student has made on their own, and what the student's goals are for tutoring.

How can you help a student become an independent learner?

I encourage my students to understand their own learning styles and develop the studying methods that work best for them. I also attempt to help my students discover or rediscover a love of learning itself, by exploring how what they're struggling with intersects with their interests.

How would you help a student stay motivated?

I believe in collaboration with parents in helping my younger students stay motivated. I also encourage motivation by exploring real-world examples, and by helping my students understand how the skills they learn young will help them in college and beyond.

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

I would use a multidisciplinary approach to come at the problem through different angles. I would also explore alternate learning styles to see if other methods of studying are more effective.

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

I have multiple methods for helping students with reading comprehension, including reading out loud, journal responses, and question lists.

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

To get my students engaged in a subject they are struggling with, I break the subject down into manageable pieces, connect it to real-world examples and current events, and explore ways it intersects with the student's interests and experiences.

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

I like to use short, 5-10 question assessments to be sure a student understands the material. I also work on helping the student self-assess their own understanding through open communication during tutoring sessions.

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

I am a flexible tutor. I have a number of different methods based on different learning styles, and I am happy to work at the student's own pace. I think it is important that the student is able to understand their own needs, and I make it a priority to help my students understand what works best for them.

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

For test prep, I usually use prep books. For subject tutoring, I prefer to use the student's own textbook or study materials, supplemented by free online resources.