What is your teaching philosophy?

My teaching philosophy is centered around making students more efficient learners, which aids in helping them to achieve their academic goals.

How can you help a student become an independent learner?

Providing students with a "toolkit" for approaching academic difficulties enables them to learn how to work through challenges in coursework. Teaching students how to use visual diagrams and create their own note-taking skills allows them to be more aware of their proficiency level with regard to the material. When students are aware of the areas in which they need help, they are able to work more efficiently and become more independent in their learning process.

How would you help a student stay motivated?

Success can be a large motivator. I aim to keep students intrinsically motivated through challenging yet supportive lessons and assignments.

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

There are many different ways material can be shown. Some people have an easier time with visual representations or 3-dimensional models (especially for sciences). In some situations, describing the material more thoroughly can be helpful. For example, explaining that reduction is a gain in electrons because the overall charge is reduced.

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

I personally am a large fan of the "search and destroy" method for reading comprehension. I understand why students struggle with reading comprehension (especially on standardized exams) as the passages are not particularly interesting.

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

I like to frame problems in a number of different ways so the student becomes comfortable with identifying and executing that problem type.

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

Practice, practice, practice.

How do you evaluate a student's needs?

I ask them to talk me through a problem they are struggling with so I can see what concepts need strengthening.