What is your teaching philosophy?

Every student has an innate intelligence that just sometimes needs a little push.

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

Introduce myself, get a sense of their expectations for the material, review the available documents/material- and then dig in!

How can you help a student become an independent learner?

Everyone is an independent learner- the trick is to find ways for students to enjoy themselves, and uncover a natural sense of curiosity.

How would you help a student stay motivated?

Goals, goals goals! And lots of positive feedback.

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

First, work to understand the block. The next step is to figure out ways around the challenge- by either moving backwards, sideways or leapfrogging the issue and returning when the student feels more confident.

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

Often, students have moved too fast over basic concepts and tried to keep up at a pace too quick for them. Sometimes the best strategy is to review the building blocks, and then address the materials.

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

Clarity and patience.