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

After introductions are made, the first thing to do is see where the student is academically. We can work through some material to see where he/she struggles the most. This allows me to cater to the student's specific needs and to be efficient with time in future sessions.

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

I always encourage my students to keep trying, even when the material is tough to learn. Having a good attitude and some persistence are key factors in learning the hard material. Trying different strategies might help the student, so I am willing to work with him/her to see what works best for them.

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

Breaking down the subject into small parts that are easy to understand is the easiest way to grasp harder material. Fundamental material must be mastered before moving on to the more complicated matters.

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

I like to find ways to relate the subject to something that the student is interested in. If the student applies the subject matter to something he/she is interested in, it makes learning a lot more enjoyable.

What is your teaching philosophy?

I try to get the students to be involved in the learning environment. This includes getting the student to work out examples on paper or white-board in order to make sure he/she is fully engaged in the material.

How can you help a student become an independent learner?

I try to provide practical examples of how the information learned can be used in everyday life. Once I see the application of a topic, I am much more interested in learning about it on my own, and I hope that the student experiences the same.