What is your teaching philosophy?

I believe that every student has potential. My job is to provide the tools and knowledge for every student so that they may reach their potential. I will seek to find the motivation of all students and provide them with the encouragement, support, and drive to explore their world through learning. I will foster respect, cooperation, critical thinking, passion, compassion, fun, and determination. As a tutor, it is my job to provide a safe, engaging, and challenging session to encourage each student.

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

The most important thing in a first session is to understand the client's struggles and goals. I want to know what things are expected of me, how the client best learns/understands, and the end result they want to see. Once I know that, we can create a short- or long-term game plan to effectively use our time to achieve success.

How can you help a student become an independent learner?

Study and learning skills are like any others. Some people pick them up naturally, but everyone can learn them. Independent learning is primarily based on motivation. As a tutor, it is my job to help find and provide motivation for independent learning, as well as the necessary skills to learn alone.

How would you help a student stay motivated?

I believe that understanding what end result is desired is important for staying motivated. However, short-term fatigue and distraction are a normal part of learning. As a tutor, it is my job to help the student focus on their long-term goals while also providing short-term goals that can be measured and reached. Being able to consistently see goals being met help keep motivation alive and well.

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

The first step is understanding why there is a difficulty, otherwise you're both going to be frustrated. Once we have a better grasp of why there is a struggle, the student and I can practice different methods of learning/using that particular skill or concept until we find one that works best.

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

It has been my experience that struggling with reading comprehension has a lot to do with being overwhelmed. I have always taught my students to first look for key words. What is the main topic (subject)? Does anything happen or change (verbs)? What type of writing is it, persuasive, argumentative, informative, etc.? Once these basic questions can be answered, the student can then begin fine-tuning their comprehension skills for testing and writing purposes.

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

There has to be a personal connection. Why is that subject important to that student? I believe that every subject has the ability to be relatable, enjoyable, and personal. It is my job as a tutor to help clients find that connection.