What is your teaching philosophy?

I believe that every student has the capacity to succeed, as long as they take responsibility for their efforts and progress. Because of this, I believe in encouraging students to set their own goals and dictate the pace of their learning. The first question we will address in any session is, "What do you want to accomplish?" We will also work on how to apply that same question to the course, semester, and school year. My role as a tutor is to help students reach the objectives that they have set for themselves by providing study tools and resources, teaching strategies for learning, helping students to comprehend difficult or confusing subject material, and encouraging them if and when they doubt their ability to accomplish their goals. I aim to help students build the skills, work ethic, and fortitude they need to succeed beyond the course or test for which they've asked my help.

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

My first session with a student is all about getting to know them, their goals, and their strengths and weaknesses. I'll usually ask about the student's experience in the subject for which they've requested help, and I'll find out what they hope to accomplish through our sessions. If there's time, we'll spend the rest of the session going over first principles/basics for the subject at hand, or we will work together on the student's assignment(s).

How can you help a student become an independent learner?

I help students become independent learners by teaching them methods for learning - not just in the subject for which they've asked my help, but in any related subject. Learning how to recognize patterns, how to apply previous lessons to new material, how to find important information in a passage, chapter, or text: all of these skills are tremendously helpful in aiding students to become independent learners, and they are skills which I teach and practice with my students.