What is your teaching philosophy?

I think of the student first! What they are like. What motivates them. How I can excite them with learning, and how learning can change their life. Help the student discover that the topic I am teaching them can make a difference in the world and how it can help them to personally excel in the world.

How can you help a student become an independent learner?

Everything relates to motivation. Giving the student a vision for all they can become as a person and having them realize with knowledge comes power, strength and wealth, or whatever they desire to accomplish in life. I will help discover with the student what their interest in life is, and show them how to achieve it through learning and growing in knowledge.

How would you help a student stay motivated?

Be very excited about the subject yourself. Show the student how this will directly impact their life.

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

Go slow. Be patient with them, and encourage them all the time. Give them sincere praise often. Take different approaches to the subject matter. Illustrate with pictures, words, discussion, and even laughter. Help them feel relaxed, assuring them they will get it.

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

Discuss the topic. Ask questions to understand what they are thinking when reading the subject. Have them read as slow as necessary for them to clearly understand what they are reading.

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

Make sure they know you like them. Get a fun rapport with the student and get to know each other. Help the student realize this topic is important to them. Ask them about the topic and see what they think, and help lead their thinking in the topic's importance to them.

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

Discuss with the student how the subject matter can relate to them. I will not make the student feel pressured. I can give examples of great people who also struggled with this subject but later became great successes in life because they persevered.

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

That depends on the student. There can be written or verbal questions and answers, and there can also be a form of discussion.

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

Praise them when they get the right answer. Be excited about their progress. Give positive reinforcement.

How do you evaluate a student's needs?

By asking questions, questions, and more questions.

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

That of course depends on the student. Students learn differently. Some learn best by reading, some by hearing, some with discussion, some by being relaxed with them, and others be being challenged. The wise teacher will adapt accordingly.

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

This all depends on the subject matter and the age of the student. I use reading material and visual illustrations.

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

Get to know the student and have them get to know me. Develop rapport and discern exactly what level the student is at. Get started in a way that motivates them to want to learn about that subject.