What is your teaching philosophy?

Everyone has different learning techniques and styles. I believe in making connection with students, especially when dealing with Science. Concepts could be related to many real-life situations. The key to learning Science would be the expansion of vocabulary and key words. For math it is easier, because there is always a way to check your answer. For math subjects, helping students understand that there is always a solution to any problem is key.

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

I would introduce myself and help them understand the reason I am there, while building their confidence. I would take the time to learn about the student and make them feel comfortable learning with me. I would also go over what the student already knows, so I could understand what techniques I would use to best fit the student.

How can you help a student become an independent learner?

I believe that a student can become an independent learner through confidence and being able to work on questions on their own. I would teach them techniques on how to go about analyzing questions and understanding what it is asking before answering it. Also, giving the students more questions dealing with the same concepts, to verify that they understand the subject fully. For math, I believe in showing students how to derive answers in the simplest way, followed by problems they can work on, on their own.

How would you help a student stay motivated?

Being supportive when seeing a student is getting frustrated is key in helping the student remain confident. Sometimes taking a little break helps calm them down from being overwhelmed. Making things fun and exciting keeps things from getting boring. Words of encouragement and little rewards also help keep students motivated and wanting to learn more.

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

I would show them another technique because there are many ways in going about learning a concept. I would try my best to prevent them from getting frustrated. I would also help the student gain a better understanding of the concept by explaining it better and making connections to things the student might enjoy doing, to make the concept more interesting.

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

I would help them look for keywords in the text that are the same in the question. I would also recommend the student to read the passage over again. Sometimes reading the passage, then looking at the questions and then rereading the passage, so they know what they are looking for, works best. Also, helping them understand that the answer is always in the passage will make it easier for them, so they don't start over-thinking and getting discouraged.

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

I would start making jokes and lighten things up before getting straight into the subject. I would start with easy questions first, so they would have more confidence in themselves, then work my way in to the root of the subject.

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

I would give them a few "test your knowledge" questions that they would answer on their own. I would also ask them to summarize what different concepts or techniques we did, to gain better knowledge of them actually understanding the material.