What is your teaching philosophy?

I want to meet my students where they are. I'm going to teach the things they need to know to better grow their knowledge base and to help them understand the basic concepts more thoroughly. With conceptual knowledge, an understanding approach, and a repetitious practice, I believe my students will excel.

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

The main thing I want to accomplish is to develop an understanding of my students, both as people and as students. This means I'll review previous tests or worksheets they've had trouble with, I'll have them work on sample problems so I can evaluate their problem-solving approach, and I'll ask them questions about themselves and their goals.

How can you help a student become an independent learner?

Students become independent learners when they can begin to question their own knowledge and the knowledge around them. This means as I tutor, I ask my students questions and prompt them to think and to defend or evaluate their answers and work.

How would you help a student stay motivated?

To generate students' motivation, I focus on the pragmatic nature of what we're doing. I have my students focus on the fact that the knowledge they're gaining will serve them for many years to come. I also have the students get involved with the lesson either by having them do the work by hand or by engaging with the material in other meaningful ways.

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

I would either help my student work on that skill or concept over and over again with repetition, since perfect practice is an excellent way to build knowledge of a skill, or I would try to come up with illustrations or examples that would help explain the concept in a way that resonates more with my student's learning style. All students learn differently, so it is important to be able to change gears if a student is having trouble with a certain skill.

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

I help the students read aloud with me in a low pressure and fun atmosphere. I would also evaluate what types of words or sounds my students have difficulty with and try to find material that's conducive to working on those specific issues.

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

Having the student work on problems without my help, or by reviewing worksheets or tests that my student has struggled with. This allows me to see what in particular my student may have difficulty with and come up with questions that best address that need.

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

I would find ways to create small success for that student. Students often get discouraged when a subject they work in constantly trips them up; they begin to associate that subject with failure and a feeling of loss. By creating small victories, I can create a sense of victory and triumph for my student.

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

I would use practice tests, sample questions, and have my student teach me the material in order to ensure understanding.

How do you evaluate a student's needs?

I review work the student has already done. I also talk to the parents and family members, and have the student work on problems while I observe.

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

I first pay attention to what my student needs and adjust from there. Students all have different personalities and need different types of support. Some need to get excited about material, while some students are conceptual learners and need to understand something before working on it. Other students need emotional support before they can tackle different material, and other students just need to be told what to do so they can develop a process. Adjusting and adapting is essential to successful tutoring.

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

It depends on the type of student, but I like using online sample tests and workbooks with my students.