What is your teaching philosophy?

I think that learning should be fun. I have found that I personally learn best when I can put the subject, regardless of what it is, into a format that is humorous and easier to understand. It makes the information relevant, and, therefore, a longer lasting, solidified memory.

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

In the first session with a student, I would like to get a better understanding of what he/she knows. I would do this through a little quiz. Additionally, I would also spend a few minutes getting to know them personally and what their normal study pattern looks like. This will give me a better understanding of how to customize my approach for that individual.

How can you help a student become an independent learner?

I think that making a subject more fun and sparking curiosity about a topic allows a person to seek more information by themselves and become an independent learner.

How would you help a student stay motivated?

I think keeping a person motivated very much depends on the personality of the student. I think setting goals is an important step in keeping someone on task. Additionally, I think rewards for when a goal has been reached is very important.

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

If a student has difficulty learning a skill/concept, the next step is to change the scope/perspective from which you are attacking that skill/concept. I think taking a step back and looking at the problem from a different perspective would allow the student to find something from their own experience to drive the point home. Again, it all depends on the individual and their personal story.

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

I think taking it slow is the most important thing for a student struggling with reading comprehension. No one wants to feel rushed or the anxiety that comes along with struggling to understand. So it is important to take your time, put no emphasis on timing, and make sure the student goes at their own pace.

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

I think learning about the student's likes and dislikes allows you to have a strategy of how to attack the work in a way that makes it relevant for the student. Additionally, getting a better understanding of how the student learns is important, whether it is visually, auditory, etc.

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

Make it relevant to them personally. I think once a student sees a subject in the context of something they enjoy, it becomes easy to understand. For instance, for a student learning about the immune system, describing it the context of a football team and its players could help the student develop a better interest and understanding.

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

I think repetition is crucial to completely understanding a subject. I would start every session with a quiz reviewing the previous tutor session. Additionally, I would end every session with a quiz to drive home the points discussed.

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

Positive reinforcement. When a student excels or succeeds, it is very important to let them know it! Praise helps build confidence, which can further independent learning.

How do you evaluate a student's needs?

I think giving a brief quiz during the first session is a good way to evaluate the student's needs.

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

I think having more than one teaching strategy is how you adapt to the student's needs. If a person is a visual learner, having pictures and diagrams will help you adapt to their needs. Likewise, if a person is an auditory learner, creating rhymes or acronyms can help that student. It's all about being flexible in the teaching process.

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

Typically, I have a textbook of the subject being taught. I would also have resources ready on my phone, from instructional videos to memory tools, to help with the learning process. I am personally a visual learner, so I would also have plenty of scrap paper to draw things out or write down funny rhymes/acronyms the student and I developed together.