What is your teaching philosophy?

I believe that at the core of learning, there must be a passion, or at least a tiny spark that promises the possibility of a passion. In teaching, I attempt to find that spark within a student and transform it into a passion, using my own love for the subject as a springboard.

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

I would converse with them about what it is that inspires them, and tell them what inspires me. From there, once I know where the core of their motivations lie, I would begin our tutoring session, keeping both their practical educational needs and their personal goals in mind.

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

I would ask them to remember the excitement they originally had when they began the subject. I would then ask them to think about why the subject is important to them. From there, I would continue helping them to learn the material, only this time finding ways to relate it to their own life. I find that for myself and many others, reminding yourself of the motivation you had at the start of your learning process can reignite the desire to succeed.

How can you help a student become an independent learner?

I can help a student become an independent leader by encouraging him or her to pursue his or her ideas without fear of being wrong. I believe that confidence lies at the heart of independence, and once this is achieved, learning of any kind is possible.

How would you help a student stay motivated?

To help a student stay motivated, I would focus on their academic strengths as well as the importance of the subject matter in the real world in the hopes of showing them the relationship between the subject matter and their lives.

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

If a student struggles to learn a skill or concept, I make sure to focus closely on that specific area for as long as it takes. Because it can often take quite a while, I always make sure to encourage or praise the student each time he or she makes significant progress, because I believe that rewarding feedback leads to increased motivation, which leads ultimately to success.

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

To help a student improve their reading comprehension, I ensure that they read the text numerous times, breaking it into smaller chunks or defining tricky words if necessary. From there, I ask them specific questions for which the answers lie directly within the text. This allows them to learn the kinds of things to look for and remember in a text, especially if they will be tested on comprehension. I also believe that concentration and focus are crucial for full comprehension, so it is important to make sure that the student is fully engaged with the text before and while reading it.