What is your teaching philosophy?

Be kind and scaffold. Do research together.

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

I ask what he or she loves and hates about math. I also ask if they can think of any time they use math in their lives.

How can you help a student become an independent learner?

Help them to find math in their worlds.

How would you help a student stay motivated?

I have short sessions with rewards in between. Then I equate what we're learning to what is applicable to them.

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

Try as many different ways to teach it as I can. Ask another expert. Make it tangible.

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

Take notes, draw pictures, make timelines, and chart of the events to go with the reading.

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

By getting to know their interests, strengths, and weaknesses. Learning their math or language hangups and making them feel content in not being perfect.

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

Again, I would make it personally interesting to them. Relate the topic to their life and future.

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

Asking the student to do problems for me and other students. Having them demonstrate what they know.

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

Start small, scaffold, and show them what they've learned since the year before.

How do you evaluate a student's needs?

First ask them. Then look at previous test scores and teacher's comments. Conduct review exams.

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

I earn the child's respect with kindness and patience. Then ask how they think they learn best. Conduct learning style test if necessary.

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

Pencil, paper, ruler, calculator, and colored pencils.