What is your teaching philosophy?

I believe that every student is capable of learning, they just have to be motivated to put the work in. A big part of that is finding ways to get them to care about the subject matter. A student will always be more eager to learn when they want to learn it and care about what they are learning.

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

I would like to get to the know the student but also allow them to get to know me. I want the student to be comfortable with me and trust me because I believe that will make them more receptive to the advice I give and things I have to teach them. Also, by getting to know them, I can help identify their strengths and weaknesses to better tailor the tutoring sessions to them.

How can you help a student become an independent learner?

A big part of becoming an independent learner is finding the motivation to learn. I would help the student first find out what they're passionate about. The more you care about a topic, the more likely you will want to learn about it on their own and outside of class. I would also teach them about the resources available to them, such as, the local or school library and various trusted Internet sites.

How would you help a student stay motivated?

I would try to find out what they're passionate about and try to relate that to the material. I would also show them all the opportunities that a good education and knowledge can open up for them.

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

I would try to relate with them about it. Everyone has subjects or concepts that they struggle with. I might tell them about something that I struggled with in school and the work I did to overcome it. As far as them actually learning the material, I would try to find the learning style that fits them best. Some people are more visual learners, while others might need something real world or tangible to grasp it.