What is your teaching philosophy?

I believe in holistic learning. Knowledge should build on the basics; true understanding comes from time and practice. At the same time, I believe that true learning must be desired, not enforced. For me, the best moment in teaching comes when the student begins to think analytically and take pleasure in the strength of their own mind.

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

In a first session, I will discuss with the student (and potentially parent) weaknesses and strengths, and what they want to focus on in our sessions. I will establish a routine for each session and determine a plan for the student's success.

How can you help a student become an independent learner?

I believe that reading, coupled with an analytical/critical component, is the key to independent learning. If we read more, we know more, and this enables us to form our own ideas and think independently.

How would you help a student stay motivated?

Staying motivated can be difficult when the task at hand seems futile. As a general practice, I would stress the larger picture. When it comes down to specific moments of frustration or lack of motivation, I believe in stepping back from the problem to exercise a different part of the mind. Then, returning to the problem can seem less strenuous.

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

It's important to understand why a particular skill or concept is difficult for a certain student. First, I would try to understand this difficulty, then navigate the student towards a different way of understanding. Everyone learns differently, so if something doesn't make sense just by listening, perhaps writing will help.

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

The key to being a better reader is to read more and read widely, and then to practice writing about what you've read. I believe that this practice, coupled with looking up every word that the student doesn't understand, will help the student better comprehend, not just literature, but other forms of media, such as current events and history.