What is your teaching philosophy?

I believe in a multifaceted approach that combines visual, oral, and written teaching methods that focuses on explaining both the "why" and "how" of a topic. Arguably the most difficult obstacle to overcome as a teacher is to demonstrate the importance of what is being learned in a context that the student both understands and appreciates. I make it a point to not only have a student understand the method, but also the importance of that they are learning.

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

Students work best with someone they trust. The first session will be not only about assessing the student's strengths and weaknesses, but also their likes and dislikes. Questions about favorite sports, shows, music, or celebrities go a long way in breaking the ice with someone who, because of their scholastic struggles, may be feeling a bit vulnerable. The goal will be to tailor a curriculum that puts the student in the best position to succeed, while also providing the most enjoyment based off of that first session.

How can you help a student become an independent learner?

The desire to undertake tasks independently is directly related to the amount of confidence a person has in their ability to perform. Through positive reinforcement, establishing a clear dialogue about their strengths and weaknesses, and offering constructive support, my students will gain the confidence they need to learn independently.

How would you help a student stay motivated?

I am a firm believer in accentuating the positives of life. Many students will hit a point when school simply isn't easy anymore, and academic struggles can easily lead to a loss of motivation. Instead of always pointing out what is wrong, I prefer to build off what a student is doing correctly. Positive reinforcement and a regular affirmation of a student's skills can go a long way to keeping them motivated.

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

I believe in a contextual approach to education. If a student is having difficulty grasping a specific concept, I try to break it down into simple steps or portions, and then demonstrate how each step relates to the next.

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

Knowing your student is key to helping with reading comprehension. By relating the text to a comparable instance that they are familiar with, the student can better understand the text. It's amazing how often an episode of their favorite movie can help illuminate the meanings behind a passage from Shakespeare.

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

Developing a personal rapport with the student is always step one. Show interest in them as a person, in their struggles academically, and make them feel like the solution instead of the problem. Make the learning environment something familiar. Make it fun.