What is your teaching philosophy?

If the material is relevant and fun, then it is easy to learn. My job is to make the material relevant and fun.

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

I will first do introductions and see what they enjoy doing. I will ask the student where they are strong in understanding of the material, and then build from there.

How can you help a student become an independent learner?

That is the goal of all teachers, but how do you do that? Showing the student where the material can be found and how to use it. It is also important not to give the students seemingly impossible tasks, but hard enough that they grow.

How would you help a student stay motivated?

I motivate students by showing how they have improved. If you are making 5's on test one week, and then 30's the next. That is improvement, and it is important to know you have improved and that you will get there.

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

I try a number of approaches to help a student understand a skill. Sometimes, you have to take a break and come back to it. View it from afar.

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

I will first help them in their reading. Then, we would take it bit by bit. What does this section mean or what is that word? After that, I'd help them summarize the passage.

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

That really depends on the subject matter, but it does help to know what the student is interested in and tying that to the subject material.

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

Chants, repetition, and practice.

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

Show the student that they do know something about the subject material, and then build off that. Mistakes are how we learn, and they can be most exciting.

How do you evaluate a student's needs?

I listen to the student and observe how they are doing.

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

If I see a student learns best by drawing, then I will do my best to structure the lesson around how to draw it out. I see where the strengths and weakness of the student is, and then build them up.

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

Usually books, pencils, paper, and coloring material. Whiteboards are also quite handy.

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

You need to get to the student's level and build from there.