What is your teaching philosophy?

To create an environment in each tutoring session that excites the student's own desire to improve his or her understanding, and to do so in a patient, calm manner.

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

Introduce myself to the student and gauge their motivation and background knowledge of the subject at hand.

How can you help a student become an independent learner?

Attempt to create an achievable set of short-term goals that will motivate and encourage the student to learn on his/her own.

How would you help a student stay motivated?

Take a step back to assess what component of the concept is escaping the student, and then create a new plan which approaches the topic from a new, more appropriate angle.

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

Remind them that reading with great speed is not necessary, and encourage them to take more time to understand each sentence and clause before moving forward.

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

Friendliness and composure are very important, as you do not want the student to be afraid to ask questions. They should be confident that I will not become upset if they make mistakes or need assistance.

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

I would attempt to illustrate the ubiquity of the presence of the given subject area in his/her life in order to make the topic more relatable. Framing the subject in a narrative form can also help maintain interest.