What is your teaching philosophy?

I believe that each student learns differently, and that it's important to find out which methods work best for each individual student. It's always possible to make a subject interesting and accessible to a student, by figuring out how to relate that topic to the student's particular interests and experience.

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

The first thing I like to do is sit down with the student, and gather all of the relevant materials that we have available to us. Then, I go over what the student already knows about the topic being studied or the assignment that needs to be completed, and then I move on to what we need to accomplish. A basic quiz on the subject or a review of a recent quiz, or one that I have provided, is also always a good place to start. Then, I usually set up some practice/review work for the student to complete before our next session and figure out when that session needs to be, depending on the student's needs/time-frame.

How can you help a student become an independent learner?

A great way to encourage a student to be able to learn on his or her own is to set up a schedule and a goal sheet for the student. I will determine what the student needs to accomplish, and design a plan that will enable him or her to meet those goals in a timely manner that won't overwhelm them. That way, the student can get a grasp on what needs to be done and when it needs to be done by, without feeling that everything needs to be done at once. They can then work independently of our sessions together with the guidance and structure that they need to succeed.

How would you help a student stay motivated?

The best way I know to tackle an issue that a student is having with a particular concept is to change the delivery of the information or the way we are approaching it. Some students learn best through the use of games or media, and some learn best through practice quizzes and flashcards. One of the most important things a tutor needs to do is figure out which learning methods work best for each student.

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

Learning what the student needs to accomplish, and setting reasonable and attainable goals based on his or her needs and abilities is always the best way to begin with a new student. Figuring out what the student understands or has accomplished, and what still needs to be done is a great place to start. Patience, listening, and offering a new way to approach the problem is almost always effective in tackling the student's concerns.