What is your teaching philosophy?

I work to help my students learn to educate themselves.

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

I would ask questions about the student, and I would encourage them to ask questions about me.

How can you help a student become an independent learner?

By convincing him or her to use and trust their own mind!

How would you help a student stay motivated?

I like to acknowledge when a student succeeds, and I like to help them realize that we learn through our mistakes.

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

I would ask that student to tell me where the difficulty is, and I would keep trying to clarify the skill or concept to them. Some people take longer than others to figure certain things out.

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

This could be a case of vocabulary, but it could also be a case of dyslexia. First, I would try to help the student determine the cause of the struggle, and only then could I determine what help the student might need. For most students, even those who do not think they are struggling, they do not read actively. I encourage active reading, i.e., restating what one reads as one reads.

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

Patience, supportiveness, and encouragement!

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

By helping them to stop fighting themselves.

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

I would ask the student to explain the material to me.

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

Verbally reward them for their success and not punish them for their mistakes. Belief is powerful.

How do you evaluate a student's needs?

I like to see what a student can do on their own. If I am coaching a student preparing for a test, I prefer to start by having them take a practice test before I say or do anything with them. I like to know how they actually work a question or a problem. Then, if they are proceeding in a non-productive way, they will learn more effectively when I demonstrate or guide them to a more productive alternative. We learn best by doing.

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

By finding out what that student's needs are, and directing my efforts to address those needs.

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

I use paper and a pen or pencil. I encourage students not to work out questions and problems in their heads.