What is your teaching philosophy?

I believe it is important to take a difficult topic and relate it to what a student best understands and what they enjoy. By utilizing what a student enjoys, we can create an easier connection with the subject matter while avoiding senseless repetition.

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

I'd spend the first few minutes setting realistic, achievable goals and trying to get a good feel for what the student likes and dislikes, and what motivates them. From there, I'd get into the material from the basics to find why a student is coming for tutoring.

How can you help a student become an independent learner?

As well as teaching skills, I'd look at ways to teach students to study and develop the little extra time in the day to make them not only independent but also motivated. Even small times, such as time spent sitting in the car, can be wonderful opportunities to rehearse skills.

How would you help a student stay motivated?

It's important to keep a student motivated by providing incentives. This is when it's important to communicate with the parents as to what motivates them and what they enjoy. I try to use gifts and rewards for reaching the goals.

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

I try to relate a topic to a student by talking to them about their passions and interests as well as slowing down. I would do my best to strongly encourage them as well as set aside time to relax, step back, and slow down to not overwhelm the student before going forward.

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

I do my best to work with the student, no matter what reading level they are at. I'd seek to help a student by having them rely on their reading level and gradually upping the level. I'd do my best to assign a short reading assignment between tutoring sessions on a given topic they enjoyed to boost their interest in reading.

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

The best strategy is instilling confidence in students so they believe every goal set out for them is achievable, and more. I seek to set small easily achievable goals before moving to larger goals. Second, it's important for students to trust the tutor and know that as their tutor, I'm going to put in twice as much effort in helping the student find the best and most efficient way of studying.

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

I do my best to relate a topic, algebra for example, into a topic they enjoy and are excited for. One student I tutored loved the Philadelphia Eagles, so I taught him in terms of points. One week the Eagles scored 30 points, so I helped him solve for questions by setting up the question as '30 = 7t + 3f.' The t represented touchdown while the f a field goal. We put in each scenario and expanded it for other questions such as 'Donovan McNabb throws for 224 yards in 36 attempts. What is his yards per attempt?' Small things like that can be related to any subject; history especially. Anything I can do to get a student involved is important.

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

It's important to ensure the student is able to explain the material to ascertain whether they understand the topic. I'd have a student explain a subject, and I'd pose questions for the student to answer.

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

Confidence is one of the greatest means to encourage a student. I first attempt to build goals with students, keeping the first few goals easily attainable. I'd employ encouragement early and often, letting them know I'm proud of their skills and believe in them as students.

How do you evaluate a student's needs?

It comes gradually. I like to talk to students and parents to see what they believe they are struggling with; however, I've noticed sometimes as tutoring occurs, topics a student didn't know where problems arise. I try to talk through the topic with a student and see where their needs lie.

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

Ultimately, it doesn't matter what I teach a student if they don't understand. I do my best to take a student's desires, dreams, and interests into consideration to adapt my teaching style as needed. No two people learn the same way, and it is my responsibility as a tutor to not just communicate, but communicate in a way a student best understands.

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

I like to utilize lectures, but I also love to utilize news materials to relate materials as well as pictures and other outlets.