What is your teaching philosophy?

My teaching philosophy is that the student always come first. People learn in different ways, and a tutor must be able to adapt to every unique student. It is my top priority to get the best out of every student.

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

In a first session, I would introduce myself to the student, not only on a professional level, but on a personal one as well. I would have the student introduce themselves to me, and give me information about their hobbies, interests, and what they hope to accomplish in our sessions. I would also ask them questions about the subject being covered, as to obtain insight about their background or existing knowledge and skill.

How can you help a student become an independent learner?

A quality tutor can be instrumental in turning the student into an independent learner. This can be accomplished through guided critical analysis, attention to the individual needs and learning style of students, and challenging the student to not only answer questions, but understand the underlying elements of the subject being studied.

How would you help a student stay motivated?

Some students need extra motivation when facing difficult subjects or assignments. A tutor can provide extra motivation through the development of a connection with their student, and the development of a clear learning plan.

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

I would push that student to not shy away from the skill or concept that is giving them difficulty, but to embrace it. Any student is capable of achieving, and a good tutor will not allow a student to become discouraged. I would take them step by step through the necessary process, and ensure they understand the reasoning behind every step.

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

I would encourage them to take their time and think critically about the text they are struggling with. What is the author trying to get across in the text? What are the key words? These are the important questions when a student is struggling with comprehension.

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

When starting work with a new student, I have found the development of a personal connection to be an important step to success. If a student feels connected to the tutor, then they will ultimately feel more comfortable with the material.

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

If a student is lacking engagement and struggling with a subject, then I would cater my lesson plan to the individual learning style and personality of the student in question. People learn in all kinds of different ways, and it is important that a lesson plan is crafted for each student to get them as engaged and excited as possible in the subject material.

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

To ensure students understand the subject material, it is important to question them throughout a session and keep pushing them to challenge themselves. This encourages critical analysis and deeper understanding of the subject material.

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

You can help students build confidence in a subject by setting achievable goals. Upon completion of these goals, a student will not only have increased confidence, but should be able to move further into the subject material.

How do you evaluate a student's needs?

I typically evaluate a student's needs through a few methods. Primarily, simply asking students where they believe they are in their understanding of the subject material is important. Additionally, having students answer questions or show previous work they have done on the topic will give a tutor great insight into the needs of students.

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

Every student has different needs, and it is critical to academic success to cater tutoring to fit the specific learning style of each student. This can be accomplished through continued communication with the student and a willingness to adapt lesson plans on the part of the tutor.

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

The materials that can be used in a tutoring session can vary greatly. Any material the student wishes to introduce or use should be considered, as well as relevant materials provided on the tutoring website.