Joshua

What is your teaching philosophy?

My teaching philosophy is to be patient with students, and to listen to their thoughts and concerns. I find that the people who best knows how to motivate students are the student themselves. I strive to be open minded and flexible in my approach to teaching and learning.

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

In the first session, I would ask the student about their goals and concerns. I want to know the material with which they are comfortable, areas of confusion, and ultimately what the student hopes to achieve.

How can you help a student become an independent learner?

I think the best way to help a student become an independent learner is to show them that they can understand the material. I find that students will struggle with studying out of a lack of confidence. If I can help the student understand that they are capable and that they can do it, that will help them when studying on their own.

How would you help a student stay motivated?

If a student is struggling with a particular concept, I would begin with a very basic example, and build on that. A lot of material, especially in math, can be very difficult if the underlying concepts and assumptions are not understood. Patience is key.

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

Successful strategy really depends on the student. In the beginning, I just want to listen to the student's concerns, and understand what they need in order to help them excel right from the start.

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

To engage a student in a subject with which they are struggling, I would establish if the problem is that the material is too challenging, or not challenging enough. I would adjust the tutoring session based on that. If the material is too challenging, I would back up and solidify the basic, core concepts. If it is not challenging enough, I might skip ahead to more difficult and complex applications of the material.

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

In order to be sure the student understands the material, I would review homework with them. I would ask them to solve problems on their own and see how they get through the material. I look for what they clearly understand and what things trip them up.

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

I build a student's confidence in a subject by listening to their concerns and positively reinforcing success. I need to understand the reason they lack confidence, and then build on that until they feel comfortable with the material.

How do you evaluate a student's needs?

I evaluate a student’s needs by talking to them about the material, about the class and about their concerns. I think the students understand what they need help with, and it's my job to listen.

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

My tutoring is mostly based on the student's needs. I listen to what the student tells me and adjust my tutoring based on that information.

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

I typically use the drawing tools provided on the online platform in order to sketch graphs and write out equations. I also make use of the practice problems if the student does not have a textbook or worksheets from which to work.

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

If a student is struggling with reading comprehension, I need to be patient and encourage them to ask question when the material is unclear. I want to make sure the student is comfortable with asking for clarification when they don't understand something.