What is your teaching philosophy?

I believe that "The learning never stops." It doesn't matter what level you are at in your development, there is always potential for growth. It is impossible to know everything, and therefore, we have everything to learn.

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

When I meet with a student for the first time, I try to make sure that the student feels comfortable making mistakes. Everyone loves to be right, but it can be unsettling to be wrong. When you are afraid to move forward out of fear of making the wrong choice, you can become paralyzed and there is no growth. To learn we must make mistakes, and to grow we must seek challenge.

How would you help a student stay motivated?

It is easy to become discouraged, especially late in the academic term. To keep students motivated I have them make both short and long-term goals. Without something to work towards, it is often easy to become disillusioned. Setting and achieving goals is a critical component to maintaining a positive, motivated state of mind.

How can you help a student become an independent learner?

One of the biggest barriers to learning is fear. The fear of being wrong or the fear of making mistakes often prevent a student from trying. By showing students that they already have all the tools they need to succeed, I feel that I instill the confidence that students need to become independent learners

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

When a student has difficulty understanding, I try to present that concept or skill in a different way or from a different point of view. Often times it helps to develop a dialogue that reaches a logical conclusion [the learning objective] in order that the student understands the underlying process or reasoning behind a given concept.

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

If a student was struggling with reading comprehension I'd suggest that they take a break. As we study, retention slowly decreases. By taking regular breaks we allow our brain to relax and "make room" for new information. Once the student is relaxed they should return to work. Furthermore, by breaking large reading assignments into smaller "chunks" information can be more easily assimilated and retained.

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

When working with a new student it is very important to listen and keep an open mind. The irony of the first session with a student is that I, the tutor, have the most to learn. By actively listening and checking for understanding I can more adequately ensure success for my students.