What is your teaching philosophy?

I am tutoring because I love to help people grow and love to watch people become excited about the learning process. It is very rewarding to help students overcome seemingly insurmountable tests (like the MCAT), polish their writing, and increase their skills and confidence.

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

In a typical first session with a student, I would discuss their goals for our sessions together. With this information, we can work together to improve skills.

How can you help a student become an independent learner?

I can help a student become an independent learner by ensuring that each student has a strong grasp of the material. I will also give students the skills to succeed at answering questions on tests.

How would you help a student stay motivated?

If a student has difficulty learning a skill or concept, I would first identify exactly what part of the concept the student was struggling with and try to explain the concept in a different way.

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

For students struggling with reading comprehension, I would teach them to focus on the argument presented by the writing. From this, students could have a better understanding of the structure of the essay, and with this, the students will be more prepared to answer reading comprehension questions.

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

The best thing to do when I am beginning to work with a student is to discuss the student’s goals. By getting a good idea of the goals for the session, I can make sure to keep the session productive and on track.

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

First, I personally would show my excitement for the material. Then, I would try to teach the material in a more fun way. I might bring in science memes, videos, or goofy mnemonics. Anything to make the session more fun!

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

To make sure the student understands the material, I would ask the student to explain the concept to me, and then I would provide practice problems for us to work on.

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

To build a student's confidence, I would make sure they had a strong grasp of the fundamental concept, and then I would help them gain the study skills to memorize the material quickly and efficiently.

How do you evaluate a student's needs?

I evaluate a student's needs by first asking the student what his or her goals are for the session. Additionally, I will frequently quiz the student throughout the session to make sure he or she is understanding the material.

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

I adapt my tutoring to the student's needs by having the student tell me what study strategies have worked for them in the past. I will tailor teaching to the study style that the student is the most comfortable with.

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

During a tutoring session, I usually will use visual aids, practice questions, and the student's class notes to make sure the student is mastering their course content.