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

Introductions and ice-breakers are everything! I would do my best to create an environment where they feel safe enough to make mistakes and confident enough to celebrate each success.

How can you help a student become an independent learner?

I would observe and review how they approach each subject, and fine tune or introduce new strategies that will help guarantee success every time.

How would you help a student stay motivated?

I would create authentic learning experiences surrounding the area of study, and challenge them to venture out further using cliffhangers. :)

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

I would find creative ways to explain the same concept while keeping them calm and encouraging them to not give up.

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

I would find stories on topics that are interesting to them, diagram them, and even help them to create their own stories, asking them to answer typical questions about their stories. So they can understand the steps in the process using their creations.

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

Being an active listener. I listen for what is happening in their life outside of the subject, how they feel, and pinpoint the root of the learning barrier and help them to address it. I also would give them a little survey to see what kind of learner they are to fine tune my approach to their personality.

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

I would make that subject come to life for them. Set up several opportunities for them to get as many correct answers as possible while gradually increasing the difficulty. Positive reinforcement is the key.

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

If they are elementary age students, I would have them pretend to be their favorite movie star and answer the questions using their best impression of that star. If they were adults I would ask, them to prove to me, using whatever method they chose, that they knew the material.

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

That is the science and mystery of being a great teacher, and I am always up for the challenge.

How do you evaluate a student's needs?

Being an active listener, reviewing solid proof of deficiencies, and simply asking them..."What do you think you need?"

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

I would give them a little questionnaire that helps determine what kind of learner they are, i.e. visual, linguistic, mathematical, kinesthetic, etc., and adjust accordingly.

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

Conventional and nonconventional.

What is your teaching philosophy?

Every student is unique, so I believe that it is my responsibility, as a teacher, to tap into their uniqueness, capitalize on the things that make them feel like their highest self, and channel that energy to result in scholastic and holistic success.