What is your teaching philosophy?

I believe teaching is a very involved field, building rapport with students and helping to go above & beyond to meet or exceed their needs and expectations. Teaching is very student-oriented, as I work to serve the student(s) to the best of my abilities and help to support them with all the resources possible to help create the best possible outcome of accomplishment.

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

In a first session, I am looking to build a relationship with the student(s), find out what they like/dislike, what they are struggling with, how they feel they learn best and discuss methods on how to help them learn better. I would also help them with the current homework they have to get an idea about how they work and learn, so that I can modify my lesson/session to fit their needs best.

How can you help a student become an independent learner?

A student can become an independent learner through many trials and attempts after given strategies to help them along the way. An independent learner is self-motivated and driven to learn and achieve all they can.

How would you help a student stay motivated?

I would find something that interests them or motivates them to keep them going. Being positive, giving incentives, setting goals and being accountable for successes and failures, and providing them with the tools to overcome disappointment and use it as fuel for success in the future.

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

When difficulty arises, I work to find out where they are struggling, what might be the disconnect with the subject/concept/skill and work to find a resolution to help the student be more successful with mastering it. I find resources and work with the student to help them gain understanding and be able to apply the skill/concept.

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

I like to give students short, small passages to practice, and ask questions as we read along, then have the students incorporate the strategy as often as possible.

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

Strategies include using real-world applications, examples and involving them with their work. Students who are involved with their work are hands-on, engaged and overall more likely to learn what is being taught.

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

I help students by being excited and engaged myself. Students feed off of others' energy, so I have to be the one to set the tone from the start and get the student pumped up for what we are about to do.

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

Depending on the material, I would ask questions using Bloom's Taxonomy to help deepen the thought process as well as help deepen the student's understanding of the material. Also, I would be sure to visit the material often and review it until I felt that the material was understood.

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

To build a student's confidence, I would help them celebrate all successes of any size, praise them for completing a difficult question or assignment, help show them that they are capable of success in the area and always be their cheerleader.

How do you evaluate a student's needs?

I evaluate a student's needs from working with them, observing them, and listening to them. I evaluate a student's needs by helping them and learning their learning style(s) and using strategies to help them.

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

I adapt to my students' needs as they progress or regress, and provide support to help them move forward to where they need to be. I also keep track of what we work on, methods that did or didn't work and make continual practice key, along with necessary re-teaching as needed.

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

I will be using the online tools along with diagrams, personal/professional resources that I have available for students and anything else that may be needed in order for the student to succeed.