What is your teaching philosophy?

I want to help you understand the answer in a way you will better understand the material.

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

I would see how much the student understands the material, and guide them to the next step.

How can you help a student become an independent learner?

I can teach a student how to approach a problem, and use information they already know to obtain his or her goal. This will allow them to develop personal strategies for independent learning.

How would you help a student stay motivated?

I would keep a student motivated by being both patient and encouraging. It is also very important to stay at the student's desired pace, not my own.

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

I would attempt to explain a concept either in a different way, or use underlying information the student already knows and apply it to what they are attempting to understand.

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

I think that practicing with a student, showing how I personally go through the process of comprehension, will give him or her ideas of how to obtain vital information for themselves.

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

I believe the most important strategies are finding out where the student is at in terms of the material, and also determining the type of learner the student individually is.

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

I would demonstrate encouragement each time he or she expresses the slightest understanding of part of the subject.

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

I would come up with side questions, or follow up questions, that the student can answer each step along the way. The student must be able to demonstrate the ability to solve a similar problem.

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

Via encouragement during the step by step explanation of the subject he or she is struggling with. It is best for the students to believe they are understanding the material.

How do you evaluate a student's needs?

I evaluate a student's needs by asking them what they know about the subject matter he or she is struggling with. It is best for the student to express his or her own understanding.

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

I plan my type of tutoring based on the student's level of understanding. At some points the students might be missing underlying/general concepts that help prepare for the explanation.

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

I use drawings and pictures a lot. I think visual learning is key for students struggling, especially in the math/science area.