What is your teaching philosophy?

Everyone has the ability to learn successfully if their needs are tailored to.

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

Before learning can occur, a student must feel comfortable with self-expression. I think it is important to take a few minutes to get to know the student's hobbies and interests so that instruction can be tailored to them.

How can you help a student become an independent learner?

It is important to encourage students to use resources online or at the library to do some form of self-studying before tutoring begins. This way, students have already learned what they can, and tutors can hone in on what they need most help in.

How would you help a student stay motivated?

It is always a good idea to tailor the lesson in some way to the student's interests. In some subjects this is easier than others.

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

I would make sure to be patient with them and would try my best to approach the skill/concept in a way that suits them best.

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

I help students break down sentences and explain the meanings of one word at a time. This practice is slow at first, but helps a lot in the long run when they are reading on their own.

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

It is helpful to ask them a few questions about their interests and past academic experiences to be able to tailor lessons to their ability level and learning style.

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

I would try to relate the subject they are struggling in to a subject that they excel in so that they could attempt to see it in a new light.

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

I would make sure to go over things multiple times so that they could solidify new concepts in their minds. Also, I would ask them to teach the concepts back to me, because being able to teach a concept demonstrates a solid understanding of it.

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

In order to make sure students do not feel inadequate, it is important to reward them for their achievements. Also, having students teach the material back to you is a great way of showing them how much they know.

How do you evaluate a student's needs?

I evaluate a student's needs partially by their self-reported struggles, and also by gauging their abilities through sample questions.

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

I can fluidly change my teaching style depending on what I perceive works for my students. For example, if a student responds better to visual depictions of concepts, I am always prepared with a sketchpad or a blackboard. If a student responds well to mnemonic devices, I will allow them to create those.

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

I typically carry a notebook, markers, a whiteboard, a dictionary, and a calculator.