What is your teaching philosophy?

My teaching philosophy includes understanding the student's strengths and weaknesses to teach them in a way that better suits their personalities, which in return enriches their learning experience.

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

In a typical first session, introductions are usually what I begin with. My name, what kind of degree I have, and what I hope to achieve from today's lesson. In return, the student will then introduce him or herself (if they would prefer to be called by a nickname), what grade they are in, if they have a favorite subject/hobby, and what they hope to achieve from today's tutoring session.

How can you help a student become an independent learner?

I can help a student become an independent learner by not mainly answering direct questions with direct answers but rather how to approach a certain topic before figuring out the correct answer. For example, before writing an essay, try and create and outline, and before answering a math problem, include the formulas on the page and see which formula fits the question.

How would you help a student stay motivated?

Positive reinforcement is a great way to help a student stay motivated.

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

From my past tutoring experiences, I have learned that there are different approaches to teaching a certain concept. For example, some students are visual learners and need pictures to comprehend the lesson. Others may be more verbal, for instance.

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

I will try by reading the text myself to see if the student comprehends the texts. Then, I will have the student read the sentence slowly, processing each word on its own before rereading the sentence and having him/her explain the meaning of the sentence.

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

Some strategies that I have found successful include relating certain topics or lessons to our daily lives, gathering all the information necessary before trying to tackle a question and thinking out loud and on paper so that the mind and thinking process are not cloudy and packed with both useful and useless information.

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

Positive reinforcement comes a long way. For example, getting them excited about their future once they understand the topic can allow a student to push themselves through the struggle. Creating games and competitions can also get the student excited and engaged with a subject they are struggling in.

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

The techniques that I would use to make sure that a student understands the material include pop-quizzes, asking them trick questions, and allowing them to teach the material to me.

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

By explaining to them that it is ok to be challenged sometimes and that everyone goes through what they are going through but in different points in their lives and possibly in a different subject. With hard work and dedication, they will become very successful in the subject.

How do you evaluate a student's needs?

Asking the student directly about what challenges them can be a good place to start. If the child is shy or embarrassed to say, asking them about their thought process towards a question or topic can help the tutor evaluate a student's needs and where the focus should be directed towards.

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

Materials I typically use during a tutoring session include visual aids, such as pictures and videos. I also like to incorporating pop culture and current events to make the lesson more relatable.

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

My tutoring experience has taught me to become flexible when it comes to my teaching techniques. Each student is unique and requires a specific kind of help. Therefore, I make sure to have multiple plans as to how to approach a lesson which accommodates a student's needs.