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

First, I need to find out exactly what the student needs, where they are having the immediate problem and if they have an assignment/ test that they need to prepare for.

How can you help a student become an independent learner?

When you teach a student the rules of a particular subject, then they can apply those rules to every problem that may be encountering.

How would you help a student stay motivated?

I would give compliments on a job well done, and encourage them to keep trying even if the answer was wrong. I would find the things that they did get correct, and say words like "almost" or "pretty close."

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

I have many ways to teach just one item. If one way does not work, then I will try another way until they get it.

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

I really like to use a thesaurus. It gives many ways to say one thing and to help with comprehension. Someone may not know one word, but will know another.

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

I like to ask a person lots of questions in Spanish to break the ice and see how well they can understand, and then I ask them what is it that they would like to accomplish.

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

I would use humor and also find out the interests and hobbies of my student, and use those as examples in Spanish to engage them.

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

I have learning material that I like to use with my students. If they can do it, then I know that they understand.

What is your teaching philosophy?

I believe that each person is an individual. Everyone learns differently, and I believe that I can find the way each person may learn.

How do you evaluate a student's needs?

I ask a student or their parents where they need help. I look at their class work to see where they have made errors. And I begin with their weakest area and build them up.

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

Well if a student is more visual, then I will use more visual aids. If a student needs to write more, talk more, etc., to help them understand better, then I do what it takes.

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

I use my own notes and books as well as quizzes and flashcards to teach my classes.

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

A student needs to understand the concepts being taught. When they understand that, then the battle is over for them. I build up the confidence by teaching the problem areas of the subject in easy to understand terms.