What is your teaching philosophy?

Teaching should never be just about textbooks, vocabulary words, and numbers on a page. It is about taking someone on an adventure. We live in a fascinating world full of wonders just waiting to be discovered. We are surrounded by billions of creative thinkers who come up with new ideas every day. There is no way we could ever learn everything, but it is exhilarating to try.

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

Introductions should help the student and myself to feel comfortable and ready. I want my students to know that they can trust me and that I genuinely want to help. After that, I will need to take a little time to assess where the student is at in that subject. It doesn't do any good to jump right into something that the student is not ready for or has already mastered.

How can you help a student become an independent learner?

Many students skate by in school just by learning facts and formulas. The ones who truly excel are those who learn how to learn. That means they are always asking questions. They want to know why or how something works rather than simply how to get the right answer. That is the approach I prefer to take.