What is your teaching philosophy?

Understand what you're learning, and why it matters for your life. Be passionate and pursue excellence in all your work. Have fun in the process, and see what you're able to accomplish!

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

I would spend some time getting to know my student. Then, I would assess their level, their strength, and their weakness in the particular subject he/she is studying. I would ask them what they are wanting to get out of our tutoring sessions, and I would have her/him set goals for the weeks ahead.

How can you help a student become an independent learner?

I love giving students tools to unlock the materials we are studying on their own. I try not to teach as much as direct them into uncovering the information themselves. I ask questions that cause them to think, and show them that they really can do it.

How would you help a student stay motivated?

Every student is different, but I might help them to set weekly or monthly improvement goals. This keeps them focused and fulfilled when they attain those goals.

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

I would do a lot of repetition, and perhaps think of alternative ways to approach the material.

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

I teach students how to identify main points, people, and actions in the text.

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

I like to establish a relationship with them so that they are able to trust me and what I am teaching them. I also like to get to know their personality type and personal learning style so that I can cater the tutoring sessions to meet their needs.

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

I would simply demonstrate my own passion and excitement over the subject. I would make the sessions fun and try to include creative activities.

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

I would ask questions that force my students to explain the material in their own words. I would instruct through questions which force my students to pursue the answer on their own, rather than simply tell them the answer.

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

I work hard to praise my students when they do well and continually encourage them in their efforts.

How do you evaluate a student's needs?

I usually observe them in their reading, writing, speaking, comprehension, etc. to determine where they are strong, where they are weak, and then focus the tutoring around their weaknesses.