What is your teaching philosophy?

I remember material best if I must use it in conversation. That is the simplest application of knowledge for any field, as it can be accomplished without any materials. Offering the real test of explaining what you know to someone else will often do more than hitting the books alone.

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

After introductions and a little getting to know one another, I would delve into what the student already knows of the material. We cannot go anywhere without having a tangible starting point. Additionally, rectifying a misunderstanding in the core of a subject is sometimes all a person needs.

How can you help a student become an independent learner?

Tutors tutor best when they ask questions. "Why do you think that?", "How did you come to that answer?", and “What might be another way to word that?" each become rails for their own train of thought.

How would you help a student stay motivated?

Even homework problems can be daunting, and I am familiar with the stress of schooling. However, it is important to keep perspective in your work. Do what you can with the resources you have. That is the most you can do.

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

Offer examples, work through problems as a team, use analogies, simplify the concept, offer rules of thumb, make a diagram, consider taking a break to return to it, reword the definition, take a step back. We have a lot of tools in our tool belt to help comprehend complex ideas.

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

While it would depend on the nature of the material, making a guide or notes as we read is a great start. It doesn't hurt to remind the student that they can always ask for help with pronunciation, definitions, or hard to understand passages.

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

The subjects I tutor for are all passions of mine. I can demonstrate why I enjoy the ideas and concepts within them. I find it rewarding to conquer intellectual puzzles and positive step the students have will give them the same sense of achievement, if I share my excitement for them.

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

Generating practice problems that focus on previously difficult concepts would be an excellent start. Talking about those concepts in a conversation tests them just as well without the anxiety of taking a test.

How do you evaluate a student's needs?

This is always my first action as a tutor. I attempt to find their level of comprehension for the material in a non-obtrusive way, encouraging them to be honest and never guess. As we begin to work, I see what tactics they respond best to. "Do they require the use of multiple analogies?", "Does the student respond well to real-life examples?", "Do they learn best through visual, audio, or spatial aids?"

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

I use a large amount of scratch paper. I write large and quick to match the speed I speak. Personally, I am not a visual learner, but it helps students universally to have some visual aid. I am very proficient with my graphing calculator, which can be used for unit conversions, trigonometry, complex algebraic equations, and more. Depending on the subject and student, I possess a myriad of modern textbooks that I could bring with me as reference or to use for practice problems.

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

I have found that sharing real world applications of the subject at hand can offer greater insight to its importance. Even if you never use calculus in your career, it was still a milestone for human kind. Higher math is also a test for a student's ability to learn and comprehend complex ideas, which are things colleges and employers want to know.

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

We would start small and build up to more elaborate ideas. All the while, keeping a friendly and comfortable atmosphere which will carry over for the subject when I am not with them.