What is your teaching philosophy?

Be present and prepare beforehand. Learning is serious business, but it should also be fun. A curious mind never goes to waste. I should know, as I am always learning something new. I'd like to convey that curiosity to learn to students, regardless of the topic. A sharp mind is valuable both in and out of the classroom, but keeping the mind sharp requires learning. By highlighting a student's learning strengths, the student is likely to feel more motivated to succeed. This is also true with helping the student improve their weak points in a way that they can see the results.

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

We would review the assignment together. I would ask questions and observe the student's learning style to modify my tutoring style and assignments to suit the student's needs and ensure their comfort. I would ask the student where they are struggling and start the tutoring session from there, following introductions and assignment reviews.

How can you help a student become an independent learner?

This depends upon the will of the student, but there are ways to reinforce their desire to learn. For one, I can design my lessons to include games, thought-provoking insights, and open discussion so that the student feels heard and the seed of curiosity can grow. I may attempt to relate the topic to the student's life in some way in order to convey the importance of the assignment. As stated in a previous question, learning is serious business, but I would try to make it fun for the student.

How would you help a student stay motivated?

A student's motivation is closely related to their goals. I would ask the student what their goal is in seeking tutoring: what do they want to improve and why? What do they want to achieve? How do they feel about the topic? Etc. Oftentimes, a student needs tutoring on a topic they already struggle with or that they aren't particularly interested in. By addressing the student's goals and interests, I can help keep their "eye on the prize", so to speak, and better tailor my tutoring style to the interests of the student. Also... don't forget to have fun!

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

I would go slower and re-review the materials with the student, while trying to explain it in a different way so that the student may come to grasp the concept. Sometimes it is the way that a concept is explained that is the issue. I could also make practice test questions, draw diagrams, or use another learning resource based off the skill/concept the student is having trouble with. Practice tests and flashcards can help students remember details of a concept and also gauge how well they are absorbing it.

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

By reading with the student at a measured pace and breaking the reading into digestible pieces. After each piece, I would ask the student to explain what they read. If they are having trouble, I would try to explain using different words while linking it back to the text. That way, the student may better learn to connect the concept of the reading to the writing style. Practice makes perfect, so along with reading with the student during sessions, I may give them reading homework with questions to answer. This will help improve their reading comprehension muscle.

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

It's important to develop a professional rapport with the student so that they feel comfortable enough to express their ideas and concerns, and also to trust my guidance. More concretely, I make sure that I know and review the topic/assignment very well before tutoring. I make sure to vary my tutoring style with exercises, diagrams, lecture, discussion, or homework depending upon the topic and the student's learning style.

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

I believe that it helps to use examples that the student could relate to, and it helps if what the topic relates to is something they are interested in. For example, taking an otherwise dry history lesson and asking the student what they might do in the same situation. I may create a trivia game, take a short break to stay alert, or attempt to present the material in a more interesting or creative way.