What is your teaching philosophy?

Never give up on any child, no matter how unruly or distractible they may seem. Because when you give up on them, they will give up on themselves.

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

I would get to know the student and what they really struggle with, because not all students struggle with the same things. I would also have them attempt a few problems they are having trouble with to see how they navigate the situation.

How can you help a student become an independent learner?

The best way to help a student be more independent is to not give them the answer but to instead break down the question and let them do the thinking in steps. Eventually, they begin to ask themselves the questions they need to reach the answers.

How would you help a student stay motivated?

I would help a student stay motivated by reminding them of their goals and of their achievements towards that goal so far. It is hard to quit when you have already worked so hard for something.

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

I would help them by first making sure they are reading something they enjoy first. If they are having fun, it will be less of a struggle for them to think about it a little more in depth.

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

The best strategy that I have found is to build on what the student can already do with confidence. Sometimes this means starting at the very beginning, but as long as they can feel good about starting in a particular place, I know that they can get better from there. I also find that using physical objects and place associations can help to better a student's understanding of new material.