What is your teaching philosophy?

I like to enforce the "I do, we do, you do" teaching style. This is where I do a problem step-by-step and explain the method being used, followed by the student and I doing the problem together (aiming for the student to do most of the work and have me as a back-up when he/she gets stuck), with the student solving the same type of problem on his/her own at the end to see if he/she learned how to work on the problem.

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

I would ask the student which topics are the ones he/she is having issues with, and ask what about it is confusing to see up to what point he/she feels comfortable.

How can you help a student become an independent learner?

Always have him/her refer to his/her book. Have him/her read the sections and view the examples on each section to see if he/she understands the material. Most students do not reference the book prior asking for help on a problem.

How would you help a student stay motivated?

I can help a student stay motivated by focusing on all the great steps he/she is making, and the progress he/she has done.

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

If a student has difficulty learning a skill or concept, I would try to find a different way to relate the material to him/her. I would see what his/her interests are, and see if I can make a comparison of the concept with his/her interest.

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

I help students who are struggling with reading comprehension by having them read the piece a few times, and having them take notes of the major point on the excerpt.

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

A strategy that I have found to be most successful when I work with a student is to have him/her do a lot of problems; practice makes perfect!

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

I help a student get excited/engaged with a subject that they are struggling in by enforcing positive feedback, always celebrating every time they make the right steps.

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

A technique I use to make sure that a student understands the material is asking him/her why he/she is making the steps that he/she is making. If he/she does not know why he/she is doing it, then I refresh his/her memory.

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

I build a student's confidence in a subject by providing positive feedback in all of the right steps he/she makes.

How do you evaluate a student's needs?

I evaluate a student's needs based on his/her performance on a problem. Based on how he/she solves the problem, I can help accordingly.

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

I adapt my tutoring to the student's needs based on how he/she reacts on my first teaching style. If it is too fast, I slow down; if he/she is a visual learner, I try to incorporate things that he/she can see how it works...etc.

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

Pen and scratch paper are my favorite materials to use during a tutoring session, because a lot of explaining on my end will be shown, and a lot of practicing on their end will be done.