What is your teaching philosophy?

My teaching philosophy is before all else, patience. I also believe no problem is so difficult or complex that it cannot be broken down into simple, easy steps.

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

A first session usually consists of me looking over a student's homework and tests, finding out his or her strengths and weaknesses, and finding out what needs to be focused on.

How can you help a student become an independent learner?

As the old adage goes, don't give someone a fish, teach them how to fish. As it applies to teaching - never tell them the answer, tell them how to find it.

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

I think the best way to learn a difficult skill or concept is to break it down into simple steps and make analogies to everyday situations that the student understands.

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

The best way to make sure a student understands the material is to have him or her teach it back to me.

How do you evaluate a student's needs?

I can usually figure out a student's needs by simply analyzing their tests and homework grades, and asking them what they find most difficult.

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

Every student is different, so it is crucial to quickly determine the student's highest level of understanding of the material and work from there.

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

Paper and pencils mainly. I like to write my own notes during sessions and leave them with the students. Usually the student's textbook and notes will be enough, but just in case, I will have a tablet as a backup.

How would you help a student stay motivated?

Encouragement and positive reinforcement is key. Most students become unmotivated when they believe the task at hand is too difficult, but any complex problem can be broken down into a bunch of simple problems.