What is your teaching philosophy?

My philosophy of teaching can be summed up in two words: have fun. When you have a teacher that makes the lesson more fun, it makes students more engaged and it lowers your stress level. Traditionally, school classes stress kids out with the pressure on grades and failure. STUDENTS LEARN BEST WHEN THEY ARE RELAXED.

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

I might ask the student different questions, probably not related to the subject, so we can build a stronger relationship. I'll introduce myself and make a comfortable environment for the student.

How can you help a student become an independent learner?

I could share personal stories of how I became an independent learner. I could also have incentives for the student. For example, have a learning game ready or something that would motivate the student to work alone.

How would you help a student stay motivated?

It depends on the student. I would relate motivation to real life events that affect them.

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

I would break it down as much as possible and try to relate it to real life problems. The major key is to be patient, and don't get frustrated.

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

Always make the environment comfortable for the student. That's always first to me. I ask questions to get to know them a little better, and they do the same thing.

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

I always have an exit slip ready to ensure they are understanding the material.

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

By starting with easy questions that they can answer. That's going to make them feel confident about their skills and slowly make the questions harder to push them to their limits.