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

For me, I try to learn about the student, what they like, what they're interests are, etc. and tie those into the topics we're covering via conversation.

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

I'd put a spin on it; to look at it not from the textbook side, but from the living and breathing side. Instead of looking at Gatsby as an idea, for example, I'd look at him as a person. I also try to tie in the student's interests to make it so they're working with what they like to work with and make the subject matter much more enjoyable.

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

I give them a chance to lead the conversation. Work through the problems or explain what was going on historically, as if I was the student. If they can teach it to me, then they know it.

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

The more we talk about the subject, the more they're able to talk about it in a casual, non-presentational manner, the more confidence they'll naturally build with the subject material.

How do you evaluate a student's needs?

I ask, I listen, and I look. I ask to see what they think they need help with. I listen to understand where they're struggling, and I look to see where they fail when they work through the subject material. You have to go at it with a microscope sometimes to find the hairline crack in the foundation. But, once I find it, I can help them fix it.

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

Through talking to them and getting to know them and how they study, I can see how they learn. Then, I cater to that specific need. For example, if they learn through doing, I'm not going to walk them through math equations. I'm going to let them lead the way and let us figure out the answer together.

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

It depends on the material we're covering and what materials they already have.