What is your teaching philosophy?

My teaching philosophy is that if learning is made interesting, exciting, and fun, the student will be not only more motivated to learn, but will enjoy learning.

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

My first session would typically be getting to know the student, determining what the student needs to accomplish, and evaluating their knowledge level and learning style.

How can you help a student become an independent learner?

By making the subject interesting and using guided discovery to generate further interest. Then, guiding them through the most effective and efficient way to research the subject on their own.

How would you help a student stay motivated?

Keeping it interesting and exciting. Also, by making the subject relate to a personal interest or activity they love.

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

Assess why the student is having difficulty, and then determine the best way, based on their learning style and personality, to guide them through the subject.

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

By building vocabulary through games, puzzles, and visual media. Also, finding subjects they are interested in and having them read books based on those subjects.

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

Asking questions to determine their personality, learning style, capabilities and interests. By having them tell me what they want to accomplish and what THEY think would be the best way to accomplish that goal.

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

Relate the subject to something they enjoy and are interested in. Relate the subject to something practical.

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

Questioning, quizzing, games like Jeopardy, and flashcards, the possibilities for creative assessment are endless.

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

By encouraging them to research further into the subject, and then demonstrate what they have discovered.

How do you evaluate a student's needs?

By questioning them about the subject in an informal setting. Also, quizzing/testing in a non-threatening way.

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

Books, magazines, videos, computer/tablet programs, and the web. Again, whatever materials or media the subject lends itself to and complements the student's personality, learning style and interests.