What is your teaching philosophy?

The most important thing when it comes to teaching is getting to the root of the misunderstanding. Once a teacher truly has a grasp on what is confusing the student or what it is they cannot understand, then they can break it down in a way so the student will have a full understanding.

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

I would really like to get to know my students! I'd start by asking a few questions such as "What sports do you play?" or "What type of music do you listen to?" Then I would let them ask me a few questions so they feel comfortable working with me. Once we had done a little ice-breaking, I would ask them about what they are struggling with in school and why they think that is.

How can you help a student become an independent learner?

Organization is key! Helping a student get organized and develop good study habits while I work with them can make a huge difference in how they learn alone.

How would you help a student stay motivated?

Looking at a bigger picture can really help a student see why it is important to keep good grades. If a student can see the end goal (such as what they want to be when they grow up), it gives them a reason to want to keep up their grades.

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

Whenever possible, I like to try things a new way. If there is a certain method that must be taught, I find that breaking it down step by step and then repetition is the best combination.

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

Start small, and work on problems they understand and build from there. I won't move on until each new concept is fully understood.