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

Get to know them as an individual, what they like about their classes, what they don't like about them. Then we can discuss what subjects they're having difficulty with, or if there's anything in particular they'd like to reinforce.

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

Oftentimes, all it takes to get engaged is a little bit of connecting the subject to real life. If a topic does not feel applicable or relevant, it's hard for studying to feel worthwhile. It's surprising how interrelated various disciplines are - all it takes is a bit of creativity to see it.

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

If you can explain the material to someone as if they had never heard or seen it before and have your explanation retain truth and accuracy, you understand it. If a student cannot explain something to me in such a manner, I would feel more confident sitting down with them and continuing to work through it until they can.

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

I tend to explain concepts better with visuals, so I draw a lot of pictures and diagrams while I'm walking through a concept.

How would you help a student stay motivated?

The first thing that comes to mind is the need to keep things "fresh" - we all know what it's like to look at the same page of notes over and over again and how mind-numbing it can be. A reasonable challenge - such as flashcards - or goal - such as being able to explain the topic to others - makes studying feel like something that can be accomplished and comfortably checked off the list, rather than something you just do until the exam.

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

I try to take a step back and re-introduce the concept from the beginning, trying to identify what specifically is holding them back from understanding the content. Having the student walk me through it from their perspective and how they understand the material helps me identify the disconnect, which we can then fix.

What is your teaching philosophy?

Have fun and get engaged with the material! Listening to someone talk at you isn't always the most effective way to learn - becoming involved, talking through problems together, and breaking down big themes into bite-size chunks helps bring ideas together in a cohesive manner.

How can you help a student become an independent learner?

Engage the student and share your passion for the subject material. Make them want to ask questions and learn more - pique their curiosity.

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

I think it's important to keep the tone of the sessions positive and casual. In my opinion, effective teaching is conversational in nature. Discussing the content together reveals any shortcomings the student may have and keeps the student positively engaged, which helps with retention.