What is your teaching philosophy?

I believe that there are many ways to learn and understand a subject, and that every student learns differently. As a tutor, my goal is to help each of my students to understand their learning style and feel confident in their approach to any subject they encounter, and to achieve academically.

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

In a first session with a student, I would like to briefly go over some of the material they have been learning recently. Then, I would talk to them about some of the methods they have been using to try and learn so we can start to figure out how they learn best.

How can you help a student become an independent learner?

I can help students to discover things that are interesting to them in the material they are already learning. The key to becoming an independent learner is to actually enjoy learning.

How would you help a student stay motivated?

I would help them find an interest in the subject they are studying. Staying motivated comes naturally when you can find an interest in what you are studying. I always encourage students to think outside the box, too. There is such a huge difference between looking at something as an assignment, and looking at something as a simple summary of a chapter in a history book you just read.

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

I would try to find a way to link the skill or concept to something that the student already understands or enjoys.

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

I like to get the students to read their assignments by themselves and then summarize what they got out of the reading. I also encourage them to circle any areas that they had problems understanding. I will then go over their summary with them so I can see exactly what parts they are struggling with. I then go through the parts that they didn't understand.

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

The most successful strategy is to learn how the student understands material the best so you can help them in a way that they can learn efficiently.

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

I would help them to connect that subject to something that they are already excited about or interested in.

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

I would definitely use the techniques that the student responds to the best. Whether that be memorization techniques, note taking techniques, visual learning, or just a different way of explaining the material.

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

Working on that subject hard, being sure to point out how much they have progressed every session.

How do you evaluate a student's needs?

Based on their classroom performance, their interest in the class, their individual performance, and their motivation.

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

I am always willing to adapt and improve my methods and will do whatever I can to meet my student's needs.

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

Notebooks, textbooks, other texts, diagrams, and some online resources.