What is your teaching philosophy?

I want to help you get clear about what specific skills you want to achieve, and then work with you in every session to get closer to your goals. Let's do it.

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

I can't wait to get to know you and get clear on your goals, whether it's reviewing an assignment you're working on or becoming a master essay writer. I'd also like to hear your feedback on what you enjoy about the subject, and just as importantly, what you don't enjoy and why. That will help me zero in on what's working for you and what isn't, and then we can get going!

How can you help a student become an independent learner?

My goal is to get you feeling confident about your abilities. That way you eventually are saying "I got this!" on your own. Every session is an opportunity for you to grow and be more independent. We'll come up with baby steps for you to do to stretch yourself every day and feel more in control of your academics.

How would you help a student stay motivated?

Once you feel that you've mastered an area you had difficulty with, we'll create ways for you to push yourself even farther.

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

My go-to is always baby steps. We'll break down the sentence/paragraph until he/she feels comfortable.

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

A couple of things: 1.) Getting clear about what the student wants to achieve, and then working with them in every session to get him/her closer to the goal. 2.) Pointing out the student's strengths, and just as important, his/her progress.

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

I would break down the subject so that he/she wouldn't feel overwhelmed. I also would point out things they're improving with in every session so he/she feels more confident.

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

I want the student to be able to explain the material to me in his/her own words. That way, if he/she glosses over an area that seems to be a challenge, we can review it together again. My goal is to make the student feel they have the material down pat!

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

It's all about helping a student move forward every session. Identifying areas where he/she is thriving and breaking down areas where he/she is struggling.

How do you evaluate a student's needs?

I evaluate a student's needs based off of talking with him/her to find out what areas he/she wants to improve in. Also, I might ask the student to please share an assignment that is currently or recently gave him/her trouble so I can see their work first-hand.

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

I'm extremely adaptable! I see what techniques the student responds to and move forward that way.

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

It's up to the student!