What is your teaching philosophy?

As a teacher, it is my goal to introduce concepts so that they are simple and accessible for the student, while guiding them towards the bigger picture. I encourage students to challenge their own assumptions of what they are capable of. Confidence breeds success, and I seek to instill a sense of academic confidence in every student I work with.

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

Aside from introductions and generally acquainting myself with a student, I would use a first session to identify the student's academic strengths, weaknesses, and goals. With these in mind, I would outline a plan with the student to achieve these goals and start working towards them.

How can you help a student become an independent learner?

I believe in fostering a sense of academic confidence in the students I work with. By including study techniques and time management skills on top of a strong technical foundation, I can provide students with the ability and the confidence to succeed independently.

How would you help a student stay motivated?

One of the best motivators is success. By making subjects accessible and allowing students to realize their own abilities I believe that motivation comes easily. Although it may be difficult to provide that initial sense of success, once achieved it's easier for students to maintain optimism and drive towards their academic goals.

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

Although there is no exact formula for surmounting academic obstacles, when students inevitably encounter specific struggles, patience is always the first step. It may be prudent to revisit a previous concept, or reintroduce the concept or skill in another manner, but the goal is to work towards allowing the student to make whatever connections necessary to feel good moving forward.

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

I like to address struggles in reading comprehension by guiding students to reach conclusions themselves. By asking leading questions, addressing fundamental mistakes, and providing insight, I can work towards developing active reading habits in students.

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

The simplest way to determine a student's comprehension of a topic is to watch them demonstrate that comprehension by working independently though an original problem or explaining the topic in their own words.