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

I think the best place to start is by determining where the student is struggling and what their goals are. Once this has been done, a plan can be made to tackle these areas of concern and help them learn.

How can you help a student become an independent learner?

By giving students the tools to evaluate what needs to be done in a problem and find the methods within their textbooks, I think they can successfully learn independently.

How would you help a student stay motivated?

Setting short-term goals and long-term goals can help a student's motivation. Every short-term goal that is reached brings them one step closer to the long-term goal, and helps them to recognize just how far they have come.

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

Go back to the basics. I think the best way to start is by starting with a simple problem that introduces a concept. This can help to identify what is not clicking in their mind so I can help to better pinpoint what needs to be explained in more detail.

What is your teaching philosophy?

I believe that every student has the ability to learn and understand even the trickiest of subjects with a little hard work and a patient and dedicated teacher.

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

I think that the best way to start is to figure out exactly what concepts they are having trouble with and make a plan for how to tackle these concepts. I also find that setting goals help to keep students motivated and eager to learn.

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

In math and science I think the best way to engage students is to relate concepts to their everyday lives. I think by making something relatable it becomes less intimidating and can even spark an interest the student never knew they had.

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

Questions. I think questions can really help students to see what they already know and what isn't quite sticking, so I can then figure out what needs to be further explained. Once I explain a concept, the best way to enforce it is by doing problems and using the concepts until they are second nature for the student.