What is your teaching philosophy?

Evaluate the student's strengths, and work to enhance those areas. I am a firm believer that individuals who want to improve will improve. As a result, I find positive reinforcement, fun and gentle guiding to be quite effective.

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

The first session is a get-to-know-you opportunity. I like to let the students do as much of the talking as possible, but I also want them to get to know me. By the end I may lay out a plan of action going forward with challenging but achievable goals.

How can you help a student become an independent learner?

The best way is to get the child exciting about learning. It doesn't have to be in my subject areas. But if a student likes some subject, I can get them excited to explore it on their own.