What is your teaching philosophy?

With enough perverseness and desire, anything is possible. Even when things get frustrating, have the patience to work through any issues you are having, and the world is yours!

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

I want to get to know the student and where they are at academically and personally. I want them to understand the importance of what we are trying to accomplish and the impact it can have on their life.

How can you help a student become an independent learner?

I want to guide the student through the learning process by earning their respect and confidence.

How would you help a student stay motivated?

I will stop what we are doing or slow down. I want to understand them and be on the same page as them as we move forward. Then I will position the material in a way that is comfortable for them to start diving into.

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

I like to make sure that their fluency is up-to-par. If they are able to read the material quickly and easily, the comprehension piece follows. I will ask questions based on what they read, and then follow up afterward.

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

I find that being open and honest is the best approach to earning a student's trust.

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

I will show real world examples of how this material helped a person succeed in their lives.

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

I would ask them questions, quiz them, test them, or having them solve a real-life problem using the information that they have learned.

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

I think that asking them questions when I know the answer is helpful. I also think that if we take a step back and show them what they have learned up to this point will help them continue on.

How do you evaluate a student's needs?

I want to see their current progress, and I will compare it to the average. If they are above average, I will start to tailor the material to their likes/dislikes and introduce more challenging material.

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

If they want me to talk more, I will. If they feel more comfortable talking, then I will listen. I will try to keep the student engaged and keep them from getting bored.

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

A whiteboard, handouts, and notes.