What is your teaching philosophy?

People learn differently. Therefore, as a teacher you must be able to adapt and tailor your instruction to your students. Furthermore, teachers must approach problems from the student's perspective. Only then is it possible to guide them to understanding.

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

The first step is to get to know the student. Find out about their personality, likes and dislikes, and general strengths and weaknesses. I think it is important to show that you are invested in the student as a person, and that you are not just tutoring them for the money. I care about all of my students past and present, and I want them to succeed. Additionally, learning about the student helps you to guide them to understanding. During my years as a teacher, I remember helping a student understand the elements of plot. His English teacher explained the elements using the summer reading book, but this student struggled with reading comprehension and didn't really understand the novel. By talking to him about his favorite movie (Finding Nemo), I was able to explain the elements of plot in a way that was accessible to him. Oftentimes, you can use analogies from other walks of life to teach academic concepts. But if you don't get to know a person and what interests them, it becomes much harder to make these connections.