What is your teaching philosophy?

My philosophy is to guide through new materials, allow the student to attempt it, then help where need be. I do not simply give answers, but help students understand how to work through a problem to find the right answer.

How can you help a student become an independent learner?

Instead of simply giving them answers or providing "blocked learning," allow them to freely think and work through problems in their own way, while ensuring that it draws the same conclusions. This way, they understand the content better and are more inclined to push to learn on their own.

How would you help a student stay motivated?

Positive reinforcement and energy is always a must. They must know that even if they are not doing as well as they want to, there is an end goal, and if they keep after it, they will achieve success.

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

I would attempt to break it down in very small parts; teach the little tools within the big concept, and then show how they all combine in the end.

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

I don't just have them read the whole thing, but rather chunk each section of the passage and find themes, subjects, characters, and other things within each section. This makes it easier for the student to follow the overall passage, as well as better understand what the questions are asking for.

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

Getting to know them personally helps to determine how they learn, which then allows me to better set my plans. I also constantly treat everything as a new concept so I am sure they understand the right way to go about things.

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

The best way I have found to do this is relating it back to something they care about. Once you can draw that parallel, it is much easier to get the student to focus on the material they are learning.

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

Repetition, subtle increase in difficulty, active listening, asking questions ("How did you get this answer?"), and ensuring they can consistently replicate results.

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

You ensure that they understand core principals within the subject, then work through scenarios towards success. Ensure that they can nail down the basics before moving onto anything more advanced, but remind them that the core principals still apply everywhere.

How do you evaluate a student's needs?

I always ask what they feel they need, but mostly I watch and listen to how they work and what particular areas they struggle with to see what is most needed. Watching their early work will usually show the biggest needs of each child.

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

The simple answer is change when needed. If the initial way of tutoring doesn't work for a particular student, then that way goes out and we look for a way that works. Students often know how they best work, so it's important to get their input on the matter as well.

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

Inquire more about the student; find the specific needs. Begin an intro into the subjects at hand, and mostly go over how to deal with scenarios. After that, allow them basic practice to get a feel for concepts.

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

Literary dictionaries, thesauruses, articles, writing samples, calculators, pen and pencil (my own notes), and a timer so that the student isn't overwhelmed without a break/doesn't go too long on one subject.