What is your teaching philosophy?

I believe in guiding the student along to allow them to truly engage with the material and gain a greater grasp of the subject in question.

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

Typically, I'll start with getting to know the student, his or her background, hobbies, etc. Then, I'll try to diagnose the problem sections within the subject and design a plan to help him or her succeed.

How can you help a student become an independent learner?

By providing the tools necessary to allow them to think on their own and develop effective problem-solving skills.

How would you help a student stay motivated?

As they say, knowledge is power. Education is the key to having a happy and successful life.

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

I will work to specifically diagnose which aspect of the concept is causing them trouble. Then I will utilize a variety of teaching methods to bring some clarity to the issue.

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

Focusing on close-reading skills and motivating the student to engage fully with the text is crucial to improving reading comprehension.

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

I think first, it is important to develop a personal connection. This will help make the sessions more comfortable and productive. Then, crucially, diagnosing the issues which cause give them the most difficult, allow us to develop a plan that allows their studying to be more efficient and effective.

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

I think that it is crucially important to apply real-life situations to the subject at hand to enhance the student's perspective.

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

To build a student's confidence, I would have them complete as many practice problems as possible on their own, while giving them enthusiastic encouragement along the way.

How do you evaluate a student's needs?

I would first begin by speaking with the student regarding any perceived weaknesses they have. Then, I would have them take a diagnostic test to identify specific trouble areas within the subject(s).

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

My tutoring style in largely dependent on the specific needs of the student. Depending on the student's learning style, I can adjust my style from one which is typically more student-centered. By allowing the student to act more independently of my help, to one which is more hands-on, I help guide the student through the problem or topic.

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

I typically use textbooks, study guides, and practice problem sets.

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

To be sure that the student understands the material, I would utilize various practice problem sets, quizzes, and tests. In doing so, we would be able to truly determine the student's proficiency in the subject.