What is your teaching philosophy?

During my days of being a student I have had the privilege of learning from some inspirational educators. From elementary, high-school, community college, and now at the university level, there are learning experiences that stick out in each. These experiences shaped how I perceive and question the world around me, and will continue to throughout my experience. There were commonalities of each of these standout experiences, which in retrospect, I notice to outline my learning style. With a limited understanding of other learning styles, my philosophy of teaching would be very similar to the styles in which I benefited from the most. 'It is a miracle that curiosity survives formal education'. I believe that the ability to invoke and nurture curiosity was the most important commonality shared between the educators that I benefitted from the most. I believe curiosity to be the spark that is necessary to initiate true learning. When in a teaching position, I would hold curiosity as the primary emphasis in my philosophy. I believe that the encouragement to question facts, theories, and even common knowledge should be supported without scrutiny. This, as opposed to passively accepting knowledge in the motivation of remembrance for evaluation. Curiosity, is what I believe to be a common trait of lifelong learners. This attitude toward all observable and unobservable aspects of life, is what I believe to be a main aspiration of education. I believe that showing the importance of learning and how it has inspired the theories, innovations, and personal fulfillment of many is also of central importance. In this way, the application of the subject could be presented in a way that brings understanding of its importance and relevance to a learner. I believe by showing the paths of many diverse figures that emphasis can be placed on the idea that learning is a personal experience. I don't believe that the learning of a student can be compared or evaluated under a narrow scope. I believe that emphasis must be placed on individual experience, as comparable to no other. This philosophy, in my opinion, creates a more nurturing environment to learners of many different capacities. I think that optimal learning takes place at the crossroads of curiosity and inspiration. Translating this into education of many students simultaneously is what I foresee as a crux of my philosophy. As no group of learners would have a unanimous interest in a particular subject, catering to those that do may leave some behind. Finding mutual ground of curiosity and interest would be very important to me as an educator. I believe that creating an inquiring and active environment for learners encourages creativity, curiosity, and an individualized experience. These I consider to be of primary importance to teaching.

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

Spend time to get to know the student, and assess their individual tendencies and preferences in learning.

How can you help a student become an independent learner?

By placing a strong emphasis on critical thinking, and understanding of underlying principles of concepts.

How would you help a student stay motivated?

By keeping a light and playful environment when introducing more complex concepts.

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

Spend time introducing alternative methods of teaching the concept, with plenty of examples to assess understanding.

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

Breaking the passage into manageable portions and assessing comprehension at each step. This helps the student to understand aspects of a passage that they are struggling with.

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

Putting a strong emphasis on getting to know the student's strengths and weaknesses helps me to utilize the methods for teaching material for that individual.

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

By using real-world examples that breathe life into the concept.

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

Example problems are a great way to assess understanding.

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

Starting into the concept slowly, and assessing comprehension at each stage, can help the subject from becoming overwhelming. I believe this will preserve confidence in a subject at every stage.

How do you evaluate a student's needs?

Asking about their hobbies and interests can reveal a student's style of thinking and tendencies in learning. Honest conversation about ideas that the student struggles with, along with assessment testing, are also helpful.

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

I utilize many methods of teaching, individualized to the student's style of learning.

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

Graphs, videos, pictures, interactive modules, etc.