What is your teaching philosophy?

Learning is easier for a motivated student. One key role of the tutor is to help find the interesting, important and exciting elements of the field of study to engage and motivate. Part of this is to take the time to help the student see the subject from different perspectives and provide the necessary tools and motivation to learn. Every student can learn. It is the tutor's responsibility to help find the approach, tools and motivation to allow the student to learn the material and skills to succeed.

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

A typical first session would establish the goals the student is hoping to achieve and a reasonable approach for meeting them. This process would include understanding the current status of studies, the scope to be covered, and the challenges so far encountered; followed by working together to establish a framework, explicit steps, and a schedule that will address the challenges and meet the goals.

How can you help a student become an independent learner?

There are two key elements students often need to become independent learners, and ultimately make the tutor obsolete: to find the motivation--what in the subject or the class is relevant or engaging for the student and will keep him/her attentive; and the study skills to learn, retain and use the information. I will help a student address both of these elements.

How would you help a student stay motivated?

An early, crucial element in tutoring is to establish the motivation required to allow the student to succeed. Whether it is finding the excitement in the material, the utility of the knowledge to the student's life, or even the importance of scholastic success to future achievement and happiness, there are many possibilities. Finding this motivation and mutually agreeing to it will allow the student to undertake the necessary effort. Helping the student find motivation and reminding the student of that motivation is a primary role of the tutor.