What is your teaching philosophy?

My teaching motto is "math is easy". My goal when tutoring is to make sure students remember what they need to be understanding *why* the facts are true. When everything makes sense and connects naturally, then it's easy to recall facts and apply formulas.

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

I like to get right into things. I want to find out what you're having trouble with and what you want to work on, and then work on that.

How can you help a student become an independent learner?

I'm able to learn mathematics because it makes sense to me. When I see why the facts and theorems are true, it's so much easier for me to remember everything and use it. If I instill that same methodology in a student, I'm sure they'll be able to learn math on their own.

How would you help a student stay motivated?

What motivates me is success. When I succeed in something, I find myself more motivated to continue. So I would have the student work through easier problems, both to cement basic skills and to build up the successes needed for motivation.