What is your teaching philosophy?

My philosophy is that all students are capable of success and learning, but that putting forth effort is far more valuable than any "inherent ability."

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

I use qualitative research and inventories to assess a student's current abilities, and figure out what they seek to accomplish through our tutoring. I can attune future sessions to accomplish those goals.

How can you help a student become an independent learner?

By teaching 21st century skills and modeling my own love for learning and the benefits of learning; encouraging the student to seek out knowledge on their own at every available opportunity.

How would you help a student stay motivated?

Modeling the benefits of intrinsic motivation and instilling in them a passion for the subject is the primary goal, but extrinsic rewards can be used as a stop gap.

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

Conference with the student to ascertain where their understanding is breaking down, and more thoroughly teach those parts of the skill or concept in question, then build on that knowledge until the skill or concept is taught in full.

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

For the age group I'm most familiar with, teaching students how to break down words with strategies such as HINTS or SPLITS seem to be most effective to increase literacy.

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

Kindness and empathy! Let the student know that I am there to help them, and I am open and receptive to their concerns and willing to work with their feedback.

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

By connecting that subject to the student's areas of interest, and re-teaching the subject through that lens.

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

Honest praise for effort is an effective strategy; letting a student know that trying their best and improving at any rate is a worthy accomplishment.

How do you evaluate a student's needs?

By asking and listening to the student's point of view, and then supplementing this with tried-and-true assessments and inventories.