What is your teaching philosophy?

Students come in varieties -- different backgrounds, learning styles, and academic proclivities. So, an instructor must be adaptive to each of the learners' styles, and be willing to listen to the student in order to be an effective and successful teacher.

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

It entirely depends on the student's goal for the session. If their goal is centralized around understanding material that was already taught, I would reteach the topic in the most simplistic way -- that way, the student had a second interaction with the topic, and [hopefully] a deeper understanding of the material. If it's to learn new material, I would quiz them on correlating material to assess how much they already know to then determine where to begin on the new topic. It all depends.

How can you help a student become an independent learner?

I can do so by consistently teaching the material in a basic manner. Then, upon doing so, I would bombard them with quizzes, which become more incrementally difficult as they progress. Once that happens, we'll go over their mishaps -- if any, and repeat the process. Perfect practice makes perfect, as they say.

How would you help a student stay motivated?

I would keep them academically engaged and challenged with exams, and encourage them with verbal, positive reinforcement, so they can feel empowered and encouraged that they're improving, academically.

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

I would take a few steps back, academically speaking. Most likely if they're having trouble learning a new topic, they're not too strong in the fundamental topics which preceded the present difficult topic. So, I would reteach the previous topics and ensure they have a solid understanding before moving back to the next topic.

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

I would simplify what they've read, then ask them to explain what is was I said to them. Hopefully, the recurrence of that practice should strengthen that particular shortcoming.

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

I've found that establishing both a professional and friendly relationship with students have proven to be effective. By demonstrating that I am the tutor, coupled with "I'm transparent enough for you to be open with me and willing to ask ANY and EVERY question" has allowed me to expand my students' academic horizons.

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

I would restructure examples in a way that's aligned with an interest I observe they favor. For example, I've had students who struggled with signed numbers in pre-algebra and algebra, alike, and after speaking with them, I realized they really favor money. So, I taught the subject in terms of debt and surplus, and they masterfully grasped the concept.

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

I would test them with verbal pop quizzes, real-life dilemmas, and if time permits, comprehensive exams.

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

I would build a student's confidence through repetitive practices. The more they practice solving questions from the subject, correctly, the more confident they'll become in answering more difficult questions, correctly.

How do you evaluate a student's needs?

Honestly, by asking them. Hopefully, the relationship will be so transparent, they'll feel inclined to tell me of any concerns without me asking. However, if I identify a concern before the student brings it to my attention, I'll open a line of communication about it and use their response as a means to guide my methods of solving it.

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

I adapt to my student by observing their strengths and weaknesses. If I discover the student performs poorly as a result of a particular action, I quickly try a new course of instruction. However my student learns best is how I'll instruct them, and I've found its extremely easy for me to adapt to my student's learning style.

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

I typically stick to pen/pencil and paper -- with an occasional use of calculators. I'll construct problems, document notes, and administer exams with those materials.