What is your teaching philosophy?

Go through the questions at hand with a magnifying glass, and find whatever is causing confusion with the student. Also, I try to make it fun along the way.

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

I would ask the student a few questions about where they live and what their passions, goals and hobbies are, so that I could tailor my teaching examples to those subjects.

How can you help a student become an independent learner?

Everyone has a different way that works best for them to learn. We all learned in school that some people are tactile learners, some visual, some auditory, etc. The trick is actually using that knowledge to your advantage. If you are a tactile learner, make an atom out of putty. If you are a visual learner, close your eyes and picture the electrons whizzing by your head. I can help students bolster their learning techniques by encouraging them in an engaging and humorous way to get into the habit of learning in a way that suits them best.

How would you help a student stay motivated?

That is an age old question, isn't it? Most anyone can find success with a hard enough work ethic. That, in itself, is something that I will remind my students of if they lack motivation. You are responsible for our own life, even before you leave high school. Deciding for or against studying hard helps determine how you act in the face of challenge for many years to come. Good thing the decision is in your hands.