What is your teaching philosophy?

It is my commitment to the student to lead you into a better understanding and application of a subject. Education is a journey. It can be fun, easy, boring, or difficult. No matter how a student feels about the subject, my passion for it, knowledge of it, and desire to teach it will greatly improve the experience.

How can you help a student become an independent learner?

I would show students a poem, or story that is open to more than one interpretation. As the students develop their own ideas, I would ask them to prove their answers to me, asking that specific examples are used as evidence.

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

First, I would introduce myself to the student. I would then get right into the planned lesson for the session. As the session progresses, I will use what I have observed to modify the flow of the session. For example, if a student has difficulty with one particular section, then I will know to review that again before the end of the session. If the opposite occurs, and the student is becoming bored with how 'simple' it is, then I will be able to heighten the rigor and move more quickly.

How would you help a student stay motivated?

I would begin the session with encouraging the student without sounding condescending. I truly want students to succeed, and I will sincerely show them how. Yet, I do not guarantee that students will, "Enjoy," a particular lesson, and I state that right at the beginning. However, I do let them know that I will help them do better, achieve more. I do not take offense when a student says, "I'm bored," or, "This is boring." Rather, I take that opportunity to ask the student why it is boring, and to prove how it is boring. Once the student sees that even defending this aspect of a lesson can show mastery, it reinforces their ability and motivation.

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

I would first attempt to find out from the student which aspect of the task or skill is most difficult. Then I would review that particular process or element while rewording it so that the student has a better understanding. For evidence, I would then ask the student to reperform the task showing success.