What is your teaching philosophy?

I believe teaching is most effective by discovering and facilitating the learning style of students. Some students are auditory learners, while others are visual, or tactile. Once the primary learning style is determined, then it is essential that the student be empowered to learn from a customized position of strength, and not from the pressure of performance alone.

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

In my first session with a student, I would try to build rapport and get to know the student's temperament, learning style, goals, fears, and anything else that can help me determine the most effective way to conduct our tutoring sessions. Depending on the subject I am tutoring, I may include a learning game or a practical example of how the subject material is applied in "real life." My hope is to help foster a true appreciation of the subject apart from typical pressure to perform well on tests.

How can you help a student become an independent learner?

I believe in facilitating discovery, not just finding an answer. I believe instructing how to arrive at a solution, rather than just giving it, helps to foster independent learning.

How would you help a student stay motivated?

I would celebrate even modest accomplishments, even if they fall short of immediate goals. Any progress, no matter how small, is worth recognizing.

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

I would ask questions to find out what they do understand, than ask targeted questions to facilitate understanding the concept in a more practical way.

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

I would help them create a bubble diagram where they can delineate the main theme of each paragraph, and the supportive statements. I would also coach them on how to keep a dictionary by them to demystify the meaning of words.

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

It is most effective to determine the best communication style with students based on their learning style.

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

I would find articles, videos, and real-life examples of the subject to give a big-picture appreciation of it apart from the necessity to study it.

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

I would "quiz" them on important concepts related to it. Then I would reference where more understanding can be gained, or use it as a teaching opportunity depending on their level of readiness.

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

Confidence is fostered by building from the most current level of understanding. Once that is established, it is important then to build using their unique learning style.

How do you evaluate a student's needs?

To evaluate a student's needs, I would start by just asking them, and then reviewing their performance on homework and tests. I would then review their syllabus and would use it as a basis of how the current structure of the class is not meeting their needs.

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

I am aware that there are different styles of learning: auditory, visual, and tactile. I would assess their primary learning style and then use it as a basis as how I approach tutoring them.

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

For a tutoring session, I would have my reference material, a dictionary, blank paper, and colorful pens and pencils handy. I would also encourage the students to have a recording device, especially if they are auditory learners.