What is your teaching philosophy?

Learning is merely an opportunity to understand how someone else views the world.

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

I want to know what the student is passionate about.

How can you help a student become an independent learner?

An independent learner is anyone who is simply motivated by what interests them.

How would you help a student stay motivated?

I like to start from a subject, hobby or interest that already motivates them, then fit the struggling subject into this framework.

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

All subjects can be carried over into other areas of interest. A ballet dancer may struggle with physics, but will be motivated to learn as it relates to her craft.

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

Reading comprehension is about telling stories. How does the student like to tell or listen to stories? Through movies? Music? Acting them out?

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

I like to let the student see that we are all learners. That I enjoy learning new things. I like it when the student teaches me about something they know a lot about.

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

I find a way to relate the subject to ideas and experiences they are already excited about.

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

I make a game out of asking comprehension question. Sometimes, I ask the student to quiz me to see how much I know.

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

At the end of a session, I review what the student has accomplished. If warranted, I will review accomplishments from weeks or months of working together.

How do you evaluate a student's needs?

I like to assess the needs of a student from a variety of sources: the parent, the teacher, and the student. Most importantly, I want to know what the student's goals are and how s/he would like to reach them.

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

It is important that I understand the student's goal and teach to this. Even if the student's goal is "to get my parents/teachers off my back," I can work with that.

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

I use whatever is on hand, objects that the student values, or draw pictures.