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

Introduce ourselves and backgrounds, and then see where the beginning competencies are and what needs worked on.

How can you help a student become an independent learner?

Get them interested in the subject and spark curiosity in said subject. I'll relate what we are learning to something they are already interested in.

How would you help a student stay motivated?

See why they are frustrated, and show them how to break down the problems they are having. I'll also help point out resources they could utilize.

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

Restate the skill or concept in another way, and see what exactly they were having problems with. We'd work the skill/concept until they feel comfortable with said skill/concept.

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

Get them interested in reading something at the level they are able to, and work on comprehension from there. I know several successful people that have had reading problems, and I can relate their stories to them.

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

Show them that every problem can be broken down into something easier, and build up their confidence with problems and skills that they can utilize.

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

See what they are interested in already, and show them how what they are learning can be applicable to what they are already interested in. Plus, many subjects have cool things that can be learned about.

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

A couple of pop questions, some discussion and practice problems.

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

Starting small, with problems that get gradually more complicated.

How do you evaluate a student's needs?

Discussions and some paper evaluations.

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

By talking to the students and parents to see what they think is helping them and what isn't.

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

Computers, talking, books, and possibly sending/going with them to a place that would expose them further to the subject.

What is your teaching philosophy?

My philosophy to the education of students is threefold. First, my personal goal is to get students excited in just learning; any learning and all learning. Without an active interest in learning, all schooling consists of is babysitting for the students. To do this, I will be high energy, and create a safe environment for all students, with the express purpose of showing them the wonders of science and how it can teach skills applicable to all situations. If a student doesn't feel safe in my classroom, they won't be as focused and open to the information and views that I am trying to expose them to. I will do this while addressing the variety of needs and level of knowledge levels of students that come into my classroom. Second, the environment of the classroom needs to be considered. The class itself needs to have the ability to ask questions freely and have them answered, so I will leave some time in my instruction to ask questions and get them answered (any types of questions as long as it's appropriate for the classroom). Discipline will have its place in the classroom, but becoming a tyrant will help no one. Part of that idea is that I will be calm and professional at all times (if somewhat excited when talking about my subject). The students need to have a disciplined but engaging environment where they have the opportunity to practice the information and skills that they are picking up in the school in forms other than merely quizzes and tests. I want to encourage critical-thinking skills in the students and not rote memorization, as becomes an all too common trap. Finally, I will let the students have the chance to be what they are: children. They need to have the opportunities to make mistakes and get into minor mishaps. While maintaining professionalism, we need to make connections to the students and see them as people, not just faceless students. We as educators need to show them that while it's not ok to make mistakes all the time, it is worthwhile to see them as learning opportunities. After all, learning is what we are here to help facilitate.