What is your teaching philosophy?

My teaching philosophy is that everyone has the capacity to understand a subject; they just need to be shown in a way that clicks with them.

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

My typical first sessions include: general get to know each other questions, initial questions of concept understanding, and actually doing some work.

How can you help a student become an independent learner?

The best way to become an independent learner is confidence. If a student feels confident in themselves, they won't need to come to me asking, "Is this right?" They will know it is and be able to work more efficiently.

How would you help a student stay motivated?

I would help a student stay motivated by keeping the sessions fun and engaging. Going over the same material repeatedly can become very boring. I try to liven the mood with jokes as well as more interesting references, such as pop culture.

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

I like to first ask, "What is causing you difficulty?" If they can pinpoint what is the problem, such as variables in a math problem, I then try to show them an easier example. I use the two to show a comparison - letting the students know that the concept is not as hard as it seems.

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

I would help them by showing them how to break a problem down to its parts. When people try to read a problem all at once, it can become very overwhelming. By breaking the problem down to its parts, making a list of the given information, and putting the pieces together - a student is able to think more clearly.

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

Be interested. So many students don't feel heard in their lives, so by being a listening ear and asking them questions they tend to do better.

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

If someone is struggling, the best way to get them excited or engaged is by making a game of the issue. Remove the "pain" from the "gain." Also, giving them positive feedback for their accomplishments is very encouraging.

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

The techniques I use are active recall and explanations. If the student is able to show me their work or explain a concept without me helping them, they understand the material.

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

To build confidence, the student has to believe they know the material well. To do this, I would give them positive feedback every time they are correct. The more a student hears, "Yes, you got it. You have improved so much," the more a student will believe in themselves.

How do you evaluate a student's needs?

I evaluate a student's needs by watching their work, their body language, and asking what their issues are.

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

I first identify what a student is struggling with and why they are struggling. If I see that the information is presented in a way that doesn't work (written out, for example), I try something different (like drawing, for example). I will continue this process until we find what works.

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

I typically use the student's notes, given lecture notes, the textbook, and online assistance (videos and references) when I need them.