What is your teaching philosophy?

My teaching philosophy is that every student is capable of learning any subject. While learning styles may vary from student to student, it's 100% possible for a student to do anything they put their mind to. I'm committed to helping students find a learning style that fits them best in each subject area, and then helping them to practice studying in order to succeed.

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

I would spend a good chunk of time doing introductions. I like to get a feel for a student's learning style so I know how to best address the student. I also like to know about a student's interests, because a good way to get material to stick is to think about his or her passions and how the subject can have practical applications in their life. Next, I would ask the student to explain their class notes to me, because the best way to know if you fully understand a subject is to be able to teach it. If there is any time left, I would walk the student through a few practice problems or sample questions before letting them give answers on their own.

How would you help a student stay motivated?

I like to help motivate students by helping them see the practical applications of any subject to something they care about. Even if a student thinks they will never use math or science again after high school, I can explain how critical thinking strategies and logic are always applicable and necessary skills. Making the subjects and course work seem relevant and useful can keep a student interested and motivated to keep working at perfecting their skills.

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

The best way for me to reach a student who is having difficulty is for me to allow them to ask questions. I often hear that sometimes students "don't even know what they don't know." If that's the case, I would have the student begin a problem or question so I can where the gaps in their skill or understanding are. Then, I can help the student bridge those gaps.

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

I like to have the students teach me a concept or walk me through a problem. The best indicator of whether a student fully understands a problem is whether they can teach it and answer questions about it.

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

Practice is definitely the key here. I also increase the difficulty of the questions. Once a student has a mastery of the basic concepts, I like to increase the difficulty of the assignments so that they eventually understand even the complexities of the topic. Plus, succeeding when I challenge them will definitely help to boost their confidence.