What is your teaching philosophy?

Knowing your learning style is key! Once you know in what capacity you learn best (visual, auditory, etc.) you can accelerate your learning and retention curve. Harnessing your strengths is another way to learn and retain knowledge efficiently!

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

My goal is to meet you, and discover your learning style and learning objectives. Once we know how you learn best, and also create a plan for when you tend to get stuck, we can create a plan and vision for you to succeed!

How can you help a student become an independent learner?

Learning how to think critically is one of the best skills one can learn to master. When you can think critically, and holistically analyze a problem or situation, you will often find the solution.

How would you help a student stay motivated?

Finding internal motivation is the key to lasting success. Motivation often surfaces once you have a goal or vision that pulls you toward it. Your goal or vision (to get an A, pass the exam, etc.) can keep you motivated when challenges arise. Motivation is internal drive. When you combine it with intention (I will succeed) and dedication (I will do whatever it takes), you have the powerful combination for creating success.

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

We break it down, and figure out where you are stuck. Oftentimes, when we feel we can't solve a problem or understand a concept, it's due to fear, going too fast, or because we don't know our learning style. Slow down, and tell yourself you can do this. There are many ways to understand and integrate a concept, not just one. Find the knowledge pathway that makes sense to you, and keep seeking to understand, until the lightbulb goes on!

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

Poor reading comprehension is often because we are either reading too fast, or because we are truly not paying full attention to what we are reading in the first place! Often, we read too fast because we are afraid we are running out of time. But, if you aren't absorbing what you are reading, then running out of time doesn't matter! Try to slow down, pay attention, be mindful, and tell yourself you have time to read what you are reading. Also, tell yourself you are capable of understanding what you are reading! Find ways (like deep breathing) to keep your calm, focus, and attention on what you are reading. Being able to comprehend what you read with calm, focused attention gets easier with practice. It takes less time to read with true focus and confidence, than if you rush through thinking you have no time!

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

Getting excited about learning is oftentimes about getting excited about the subject. I used to think history was boring, until I had several history teachers who made the past come to life. When I was able to picture what was happening in the past, and how people's actions affected my life and our world today, I realized how exciting life and history truly are! If you can create an emotional engagement with a subject (Why does it matter to you? What is relevant to your life?), then you have a higher chance of finding the subject interesting and retaining the facts and concepts.

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

I use different techniques to help a student understand material. Most are pretty simple, like comparing similar words. Another tactic would be to help the student gain a broader perspective of a subject, and then narrow down into specific challenges.

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

I uncover what their strengths are, and then help them to use their strengths to build confidence.

How do you evaluate a student's needs?

I like to first get to know a student, and find out what they need, who they are, what their strengths are, and what their goals are. Having a backstory can help, but getting acquainted is great, as is knowing a student's goals and strengths.

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

Tutoring is personal. That is the whole point. So, each student is unique, with a unique set of needs and goals. I get to know my students and also get to know their goals, needs, strengths, and challenges. I like to focus on using goals and strengths to gain ground in a tutoring session, as well as to help build overall confidence.

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

Materials can be pretty simple, including paper, a pen/pencil, as well as a calculator and sometimes the web. However, the most important tool is the relationship itself!