What is your teaching philosophy?

Compassionate coaching and student empowerment, with an eye towards conceptual understanding and long term academic success.

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

Identify the student's resources, learning style, and areas that need support. Then establish rapport and set goals.

How can you help a student become an independent learner?

I encourage the student to "teachback" a problem that covers a new topic we are working on.

How would you help a student stay motivated?

I encourage the student to remember past times when effort has produced success, reassure that I am available for support, remind the student of her resources, and reconnect the student with long-term goals.

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

Ensure that the student has the background knowledge. Use analogy or metaphor to approach the concept. Model how to use the concept or skill. Ask the student to teach it.