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

I will sit down with the student and learn about his interests, hobbies, and activities they may participate in at school. I would also ask the student about his learning environment, and what is the hardest thing to grasp about the subject I am going to tutor the student in. I will proceed to introduce myself, and the subject I will be tutoring in.

How can you help a student become an independent learner?

By giving the student tasks to complete on their own, and even during sessions I'll give the student opportunities to explain and answer questions once I see an increase in knowledge of the subject. These tools, along with the confidence that they can do their work correctly, will help them become a great independent learner.

What is your teaching philosophy?

Take your time to motivate and encourage your student. Make sure they understand every step and method you use to solve the problem. You need to teach as fast as your student learns; because at the end of the day they're the one that has to learn the material. Rushing or getting frustrated will only make the teacher's job more difficult.

How would you help a student stay motivated?

I will provide positive reinforcement to keep the student motivated. Through years of school and working with children for 3 summers, I have learned that to keep a young student engaged, you have to make sure they are enjoying your methods and understanding the work.

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

I would first ask them what is the exact step or concept they are having difficulty grasping. Next I would break down the skill or concept in the simplest way I know possible. If the student still says they are struggling, I will take a different approach by using different key words and objects.

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

The most successful strategies are first and foremost making sure the student is comfortable around you. Without this it'll be hard for the student to trust you. Another one is breaking down the concepts they should already know. Basically going back a lesson or two and just making sure they have mastered everything they need to. A lot of times students struggle because they just didn't learn a certain concept correctly or fully.

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

The best to get a student engaged is to prove to themselves that they can actually do the work. The best way to go about this is to explain a problem to them and have them write down the steps. Then give them a similar problem and have them refer to their notes to figure it out. They may not get the right answer the first time, but they will have the tools and a start in the right path. This will increase their confidence, making them more excited to learn the subject.

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

I will give the student 5 questions based off the material we just discussed and have them try it on their own. If the student can successfully answer them all correctly and explain each answer with the correct method, then they have shown they understand. But if the student fails to answer every one correct I will have to continue to work with them until they are able to answer 5 questions in a row with no help.

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

The key to building a student's confidence in a certain subject is proving to them that they can do the work. I first explain the topic and the methods you would use to get the answer. Then I give them examples related to something in their everyday life. Next, I let them try on their own, and I will assist when I see it's needed. Also providing them with encouraging words and patience will increase their confidence.

How do you evaluate a student's needs?

Once I explain the topic and methods to solving the problem, I will ask them if they understand. If they say no I will take a different approach to teaching the subject. Once they say yes though, I will ask them to try a couple problems on their own. After they finish those problems I will evaluate them based on the efficiency of their answers, which is a calculation of how long it took and how many they got right. This will give me an accurate marker on how much they know about this subject.

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

If the student needs an upbeat, in their face, fast-paced tutor, I can be that. If the student needs a patient, laid-back tutor, I can be that. If the student has an IEP or learning disorder I have no problem repeating myself. If the student is very serious and doesn't like small talk I know how to approach that. If a student is very charismatic and talkative, that fits right into my personality, but I know how to keep that kind of student focused and motivated. Plainly stated, I am a very flexible tutor and have different methods of approach based on the student's needs.

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

I use a laptop, pencil/pen, paper, personal notes and sometimes textbooks. I may also use online resources.