What is your teaching philosophy?

My general teaching philosophy is that no subject or material is too hard for someone to learn. Some topics come easily and others require more work and effort to achieve true proficiency. However with some dedication, repetition, and hard work, I believe that there is no limit to what you can learn, and how that knowledge can be applied.

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

During a first session, I would start by getting to know the student. I would want to understand their personality, how they understand the world around them, and what they like and dislike. These areas may not seem relevant to the particular lesson at hand, but I find students often struggle more with how the material is being taught, rather than with the material itself. By understanding a student, I can more effectively adapt my teaching style to their learning style, to allow them to reach their goals.

How can you help a student become an independent learner?

I find curiosity to be a driving factor in creating independent learners. An understanding of relevance drives curiosity. If a student can understand why the material matters, why they should even care, then they will naturally become more curious, and soon start learning on their own. So my method would be to explain and demonstrate how the things they are being taught have purpose and meaning, with the hope of sparking their curiosity and desire to learn.