What is your teaching philosophy?

To encourage students to take charge of their learning as I mentor, guide, and lead them through self-discovery and critical thinking.

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

Learn as much as I can about my student's interests, successes, and deficiencies in the area of study.

How can you help a student become an independent learner?

Guiding them as they search for answers.

How would you help a student stay motivated?

Making the lessons age and maturity focused, as well as bringing their personal interests into the lessons.

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

Paint a picture and draw diagrams.

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

Having them read one paragraph at a time and summarizing it, after demonstrating how it's done first.

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

Focusing on the student's abilities and interests; letting them know that they are in charge of their own learning.

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

Bringing their personal interests into the learning examples.

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

Have them repeat back what they just learned or reviewed.

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

Praise, high fives; tell them stories about my own personal achievements, helping them realize that it can be done.

How do you evaluate a student's needs?

Reviewing their textbook and asking them questions about what they are struggling with.

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

Age and maturity appropriate lessons.

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

Google search, textbooks, homework, previously graded quizzes/tests, and free websites with practice activities.