What is your teaching philosophy?

I spent ten years living in Hawaii, where there is a very relaxed atmosphere, and this enhanced the attitude towards learning that I already had - that being a student can be and should be fun while also being educational. Knowledge expands not just our brains or our pocket books but our entire outlook on life up to and including the way we treat others. That's why I believe that teaching is the best way for me to impact my community locally and globally.

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

Typically, before moving into any formal tutoring or homework, I would wish to get to know the student, the student's parents (if applicable), and for them to get to know me. I would inquire of everyone's expectations, along with the student's subject strengths and weaknesses. I would want to know what the student has done so far in the subject requiring tutoring, where the student currently stands, and what the student hopes to achieve via our tutoring sessions.

How can you help a student become an independent learner?

It is always better to teach people how to fish rather than catch fish for them. I believe that my tutoring methods help students become independent learners who possess inquiring natures. I do this by directing students in not just what to study but how to study, and in being there to guide them along the way.

How would you help a student stay motivated?

There are two approaches to motivation. One is to focus on the here and now, one step at a time, and to gain a sense of fulfillment by accomplishing tasks little by little. The second is to remind oneself of the overall goal or "big picture". I think a little bit of both is necessary for anyone to stay motivated.

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

A lot of factors go into reading comprehension. In order to fully comprehend what we are reading, we must comprehend all of the vocabulary, the connotations and denotations, the context within the portion being read, and the context in a greater sense, such as historically. I address all of these when teaching reading comprehension.