What is your teaching philosophy?

My personal belief is that no such relationship exists as that of student and teacher. When two or more people come together to learn anything, all people involved are capable of teaching and learning from one another. This is a student-centered approach that emphasizes the use of activities which integrate the personal experiences of the student with the subject and concepts under consideration.

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

Before we meet, I would call to talk with the student and learn some background information about the student. This will take the form of personal preferences of the student - how they like to study, to learn, their academic interests, etc., as well as information on the subject they are studying (such as what are their academic goals, what materials does their teacher use, etc.).

How can you help a student become an independent learner?

All my lesson plans include activities that require students to practice the essential academic skills that make someone an independent learner. Annotation, sourcing, citing evidence, forming thesis statements, critical questioning--one or more of these, and other critical skills, accompany the activities that I will lead the student through.

How would you help a student stay motivated?

Being a positive support for the student seems to be the best way to keep a student motivated.

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

Given that students do not all fail in the same way, nor can it be said that any individual student fails in the same way every time, what is important is determining what specific blocks to comprehension and proficiency are present. Then, move forward in remedying the situation - the solutions for which will vary.