What is your teaching philosophy?

I strive to continue working on each issue a student has until he or she not only understands how to do the problem, but also the concept behind the solution.

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

After introducing myself, I ask the student why they wanted a tutor, and what areas they need help in.

How can you help a student become an independent learner?

The student must learn that becoming a learner is more about understanding how problems work than how solutions occur.

How would you help a student stay motivated?

I feel that learning a skill that was previously frustrating is reward itself and is more than enough to keep a student motivated.

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

Continue working with the student until he or she can truthfully say they understand it. I would also approach the problem in different ways to see if it helps.

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

I ask them what they make of the text first to see where their thinking is going astray, and then target this in my approach as a tutor.

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

Treating the student as a friend and encouraging them to want to become a better learner rather than receiving help for good grades or to please a parent.

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

I would start from the basics of the subject, so that the student can first learn the joys of understanding a part of the subject and then work my way up.

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

I would ask the student to keep 100% transparency with me and consider me a friend!

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

Constant practice and self-motivation to do better.

How do you evaluate a student's needs?

I try to maintain an open and honest relationship with all of my students, to the degree that if a student feels there is an area that must be given more attention, they can approach me.

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

I notice how the student responds to different teaching methods and work around that.

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

I use materials the student is most familiar with, such as textbooks used in his or her school.