What is your teaching philosophy?

Teaching is all about empowering students with effective tools and methods so that, in the future, they can confidently grow and learn on their own.

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

In a first session, I would get to know the student a bit personally as well as academically. Knowing likes, dislikes, weak points, and strong areas allows for personalized, successful teaching methods.

How can you help a student become an independent learner?

Instilling a desire to learn and creating fun and personal study methods will allow any student to learn independently.

How would you help a student stay motivated?

I would motivate a student by instituting a reward system and clearly explaining the benefits of success.

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

I would deduce why the student has trouble with that skill or concept and work with them to develop a solution to the problem.

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

I help them by breaking down large chapters or paragraphs into smaller pieces until they are able to grasp the idea. Once we master phrases and clauses, then we will move up to sentences, then paragraphs, and so on.

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

Getting to know a student beyond his or her academic trouble spots not only creates a comfortable learning environment, but also helps build his or her confidence.

How would you help a student get excited/engaged with a subject that they are struggling in?

Depending on the student's age, I would create a reward system or help him or her understand the innate rewards of success in that particular subject.

What techniques would you use to be sure that a student understands the material?

I would use practice tests and have him or her explain concepts to me directly.

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

I help students build confidence by helping them create personal and effective strategies for their particular struggle area. For example, if a student struggles with math word problems, having a sure-fire system to tackle such problems will give them the confidence needed to try.

How do you evaluate a student's needs?

Talking with the student and parents, and assessment tests.

How do you adapt your tutoring to the student's needs?

I personalize every session to each student based on his or her struggle areas and strengths.

What types of materials do you typically use during a tutoring session?

Pen, pencil, paper, test prep books, and practice tests.