What is your teaching philosophy?

I thoroughly enjoy teaching, whether it be the sciences or how to play a card game. Helping people to understand concepts is a central part of my personality. I love making learning fun and interesting. My favorite thing to do is take a concept that may normally be tedious or confusing, and explaining it in a way that allows the student to genuinely be excited about understanding. We start to learn the moment we are born, so it may as well be fun!

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

Get to know the student, ask about their hobbies, how they prefer to learn (i.e. hands on, observation, listening...), and begin building a level of trust and friendship. This would serve the student and I better down the line!

How can you help a student become an independent learner?

I believe that to help a student become an independent learner, they need to have the desire to learn. My goal would be to help every student become an independent learner to some extent by showing them that learning can be a passion, not just a requirement.

How would you help a student stay motivated?

I would help a student stay motivated by telling them it is totally normal to be unmotivated. If they are feeling worn out or overwhelmed, I would encourage them to do something they really enjoy for an hour or two so they are able to refocus.

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

I would break that skill or concept down into a simpler idea and relate it to another concept. For example, if a student is really into cars, then I might relate that concept to the function of a car to help them grasp it fully.