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

I would introduce myself and then get acquainted with the students and their needs.

How can you help a student become an independent learner?

I want the student to become resourceful, and to teach them strategies to solve problems.

How would you help a student stay motivated?

I want my students to learn grit. They need to see themselves as active learners that can persevere in their work, even when their initial efforts aren't successful.

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

I would give strategies and coach through repetitive practice until mastery.

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

With nonfiction, you can break information down into subsections and use Cornell notes. With fiction, you need to constantly review the story and summarize what's happened so far.

What is your teaching philosophy?

My philosophy of education envisions learners that construct meaning by engaging in various and authentic experiences that are provided within and outside of the classroom. In order to prepare them for future educational and vocational endeavors, students will explore a multidisciplinary curriculum that utilizes their various learning styles. This exploration will occur within an educational environment that will be framed on high expectations for behavior as well as academic performance.

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

Focusing on their needs and challenges with the content usually yields the appropriate strategies.

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

I try to share my excitement with the topic. I love learning, and am passionate about helping students.

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

Assessment in many forms via oral, written, and repetition to be sure of mastery.

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

Show them they can be successful by helping them persevere through a challenging problem, and then showing them continued success through similar problems.

How do you evaluate a student's needs?

Oral and written assessments.

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

I modify my approach based on their interests and motivations. If they excel visually, I might use a lot of diagrams. I fit instruction to match the needs of students.

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

ACT prep sessions might heavily depend on those materials while reading comprehension sessions might rely on lots of nonfiction text.