What is your teaching philosophy?

Learning is different for everyone, and oftentimes, the classroom isn't sufficient for a student to get a real grasp of the subject. Education should never be a cookie-cutter experience for anyone, and should always inspire curiosity and a sense of wonder about the world around us. I want to teach in a way that is engaging and helps people learn in a way that is most effective and interesting to them.

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

I would start by talking about what the student feels they struggle with the most and listen to their understanding of a given topic. This is important for me so that I can get a better idea for how that student learns and lets me present the material in a more effective manner.

How can you help a student become an independent learner?

Once I understand how a student likes to learn, I would walk them through the information and help them parse it in their own style. It would be counterproductive for me to tell them how to think. Rather, I would present them with information and help them get to the proper conclusion using their own critical-thinking skills.

How would you help a student stay motivated?

Everyone's learning style and pace differs from that of everyone else. I would remind my students of that fact and encourage them to stay focused on surpassing their own achievements rather than that of others. Education should be for the benefit of the individual rather than a competition with peers.

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

Always start with the most basic concepts of the subject and have them reach the more advanced topics by helping them make their own conclusions. Students must learn how to drive their own education so they don't have to depend on anyone spoon-feeding them raw information. This allows them to approach new subjects without being intimidated by them.