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

In a first session, I usually ask the student what he or she feels the least comfortable with, how they have been doing so far in their studies, and what they would like to achieve through tutoring.

How can you help a student become an independent learner?

A student can become an independent leader through the Socratic method by using a series of questions and answers that help the student think critically about the problem-solving process.

How would you help a student stay motivated?

I help students stay motivated by showing them how they have improved so far and explaining to them how they can improve further. This helps them view their academic goals as attainable and even surpassable.

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

If a student has difficulty, I tend to explain the major concept in a new way. I often will come up with a real world example or break the skill up into smaller concepts. I connect the student with additional resources, such as videos and diagrams.

What is your teaching philosophy?

My teaching philosophy is to first understand how the student best learns, and then tailor my tutoring to their needs.

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

I would connect the subject matter to the student's hobbies and interests in order to make it more engaging.

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

In order to ensure a student understands the material, I ask them to describe major concepts in their own words, and I ask them to complete problems while explaining their thought process aloud.

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

In order to build a student's confidence, I set minor goals for each session and offer praise and encouragement when they work towards those goals.

How do you evaluate a student's needs?

I evaluate a student's needs by asking them what concepts they are having difficulty with and what they need to master in order to succeed in their class.

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

I adapt my tutoring by focusing on their weak areas and building the problem-solving skills needed to tackle difficult concepts in the future.

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

During a tutoring session, I like to use practice problems, as well as online figures and videos.

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

I found the Socratic method to be most useful when starting to work with a student so that I can understand their thought process and adjust it to achieve greater academic success.