What is your teaching philosophy?

I believe that students learn at different levels and it is the job of a tutor to help them figure out what works best for them. I also believe that students learn at their own pace, and a tutor can be useful in helping boost a student's confidence and ability to learn.

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

During a first session, I think it is best to see where a student is and what needs to be worked on. If they are excelling in one area, the first session can show me that I do not need to focus on that area; rather, I can focus on other topics. To test a student's abilities, I may use worksheets or other testing methods to see what needs improvement. In addition, it is important to listen to what the student and parents want to get out of the tutoring experience.

How can you help a student become an independent learner?

Showing a student how to learn is the first step, and then letting them practice it on their own helps them become independent learners. Tutors can help students along the way, but the ultimate goal is to have the students be able to learn and develop study habits on their own.

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

When I work with students, I have found that showing them how to do it a few times helps enforce what they are learning. The next step is letting them practice on their own with assistance when they need it. I have found that the more a student practices examples themselves, the more likely they are to succeed.

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

I like to use worksheets, real world examples, and follow up questions during the next session to see if the subject was retained.