What is your teaching philosophy?

Everyone can connect with language, but you have to find the right point. I work with students to find something that they can use to bridge that divide. Whether it's bawdy Latin poetry or discovering how to speak in a long-dead language, there's something for every student.

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

I want to know more about you! Tell me what you're working on, and what's working for you. Once I know what you can do well, we can move into what you're having trouble with. If you're having trouble answering that question, we might start with a brief assessment so that we're on the same page. From there, we can work out a plan to get you to where you want to be.

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

The most effective way to prove to both yourself and your tutor that you understand a concept is to explain it in your own words. For languages, I might ask you to write a story using the grammar or vocabulary we've been working on. If it's math, I would ask a student to walk me through a problem as though I were in their shoes.

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

By focusing on their strengths and working outward from there. I work with students to set attainable goals, like learning the first declension or memorizing all the vocabulary from a list. I maintain a positive attitude, and try to help my students do the same.