What is your teaching philosophy?

I meet a student where they are academically and determine where it is they can go. I believe it is essential to build rapport, connect with, and to learn what motivates and discourages a student. I then use that information to develop a plan of action to tackle learning in a way best suited to the student.

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

I would first spend time building rapport and finding out about the student's interests, favorite and not so favorite subjects. We would have a discussion about areas in which they would like to improve, any problems they are having with particular subjects, and what they hope to get out of the tutoring experience. Part of the discussion would include helping the student develop goals and a plan to achieve academic success in the subject(s) he or she needs assistance with. After organizing a list of priorities, we would set out to tackle the most important item--whether a pressing homework assignment, or help with writing, etc.

How can you help a student become an independent learner?

Independent learners are problem solvers! It is about building up confidence in the student to try to solve her problem first using the tools at her disposal. When a student knows that he can obtain the information needed on his own, and has practiced utilizing the tools to access that information, the options for self-help increase, while dependence on others to provide the solution decreases.