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

I will connect the subject to the student's aspirations. When a student knows the value of a subject that challenges them, they become more determined to beat the challenge.

What is your teaching philosophy?

Learning should be fun. The mind is always curious, so when we satisfy the mind with knowledge we become happy. When our intellect is missing the spark of creativity, we become bored with logic. Teaching expands into wisdom when reason and imagination combine.

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

First, the student and I will check in, so we can set a flow for the session. I want to know the student's goals and dreams so we can build a plan together for their future.

How can you help a student become an independent learner?

I empower students by helping them know themselves. When a student cultivates self-awareness they can feel confident on how to accomplish their learning goals. I will help them with memory, focus, and determination. I am great at teaching people how to organize their thoughts.

How would you help a student stay motivated?

Students become motivated when they have a consistent routine with room to express their imagination. A student can be themselves while also being challenged in fun and creative ways. I am great at reminding my students on how life in general is like a university, so learning how to love being a student is the key to a happy and successful life!

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

I would first ask the student how their week has been so I can get the full context as to why they may be struggling with the concept. If the student feels like they have some understanding of their setback from all sides, then they will more likely overcome the temporary challenge. I work with the student on the basic rules of the skill or concept until they have memorized these parts. Then we practice applying the basic principles while taking breaks to realize the concept through another method of their choice.

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

I have the student tell me everything they know about the reading. Then the student tells me what they don't know. I ask the student what is their favorite aspect of the story. What characters stand out? What is the mood of the reading? Does the setting change? We then go to the beginning of the story and talk about the aspect that the student liked until the end. I show the student how their favorite aspect interacts with the other qualities of the reading. Lastly, the student tells me what they have learned.

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

Listening shows the student that you have the ability to focus. It teaches them concentration. Patience teaches the student determination. Predicting where the student will struggle or succeed teaches them how to ask questions and builds awareness.

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

I let the student show me what they know about the subject. Then I ask them relevant questions to expand upon what they know. Then I give them a break and show them what I know, that they may want to think about. Then the student has a chance to ask questions. I answer their questions with relevant resources and critical thinking methods they can use on their own. Lastly, the student must teach me what they learned and share realizations.

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

I am very enthusiastic and will always encourage students to take smart risks that increase dexterity in their approach to learning. They won't appreciate what they know until they have fun with their studies. The rewards will be that they make great strides in their capacity to use critical thinking, which enhances creativity. If a student struggles with a particular subject, I will provide them all the gateways to understanding that subject and let them choose their own path. If one path fails, then there are others to choose from. Mistakes are learning opportunities.

How do you evaluate a student's needs?

I have a great memory and can pay close attention to the details of a student's nature. Each session the student will be given a short amount of time to assess themselves, which will then follow with my personal evaluation with where they are. I am also interested to know about the other subjects that they are learning about so that I can connect and open up bridges across all disciplines.

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

I am very flexible. When one path of learning doesn't work, I can bend to accommodate another perspective on how to critically assess the needs of the student. I am very good at gathering resources and will always be prepared to adapt at a moment's notice.

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

Reference books and other standard guides are great tools. These types of materials pair well with secondary sources that highlight current trends in society. I want to connect elevated texts of learning to whatever types of sources the student likes. Music and art can even be connected to science and math to convey abstract concepts.