What is your teaching philosophy?

I believe that each student learns differently, so I try to find out the best way to teach each concept.

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

I would try to learn about the student's interests and goals and explore the background the student has on that topic.

How can you help a student become an independent learner?

I teach the concept, the value of the concept to the student, and the ways that a student can develop independence, confidence and composure.

How would you help a student stay motivated?

I keep focusing on the student's goals. I link all activities to achieving the goals that are important to the student.

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

We would stay on that concept until the student is comfortable. We would change teaching approaches, change the situations of the problem scenarios, or use other supplementary materials.

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

I assist the student with whatever element of comprehension they are struggling with: vocabulary, memory, concepts, or interest.

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

I try to understand the student's goals and what they are interested in and relate the material to that.

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

I try to make whatever topic we are studying as fun as possible, and I try to relate to the student through stories, examples, and topics that they will relate to.

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

I ask questions, and I ask the student to show me, tell me, or teach me the concept we have just studied. I think teaching others is a great way to reinforce the student's understanding and confidence and show me their skills competency.

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

Criticism is not productive. I reinforce whatever effort or success a student is making, and then positively refocus on the next skill or concept that the student needs to improve.

How do you evaluate a student's needs?

I begin by asking them and their family. Once we start a session, it becomes clear what competencies the student has or needs for the concept we are studying in math or accounting.

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

I ask questions. I would like to understand what the student has found easy and what the student is struggling with. I also try to understand what subjects are most interesting to the student and what they enjoy outside of their school like. I understand all this to relate the concepts we are learning about to what will resonate most with that particular student.

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

I start with the whiteboard environment for online tutoring or a blank legal pad for in-person tutoring. I go from the student's school study materials: the textbook, packets, or exam preparation materials. As necessary, I supplement the student's materials with my own materials: my texts and relevant information from the Web.