What is your teaching philosophy?

I slow down my teaching for these students and try to explain the concepts of the words they are having trouble with. With enough repetition and practice, I find students generally catch on to the words in math problems.

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

The first session would begin with listening to the student to understand what we were trying to accomplish from the tutoring and what material we would cover. We might begin digging into the material slowly at first so I can get a feel for the student's learning style and level of mastery of the subject.

How can you help a student become an independent learner?

It takes time to grow a student into an independent learner. Start slowly by showing them a way to think to solve a problem. Then, let them attempt to solve on their own and correct them if their thinking is incorrect. Finally, over time, give the student more and more space with less intervention and they will become independent.

How would you help a student stay motivated?

I help the student to visualize the outcome of their goals. Then, I help them to see the fun in their work. I love math and try to spread that enthusiasm by showing them the benefits of being able to think logically and understand complex concepts.

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

It depends on the type of difficulty they are having. Sometimes it can be a motivation problem because students don't understand how it applies in the real world. Then, I would provide them an example of real world application for motivation. Often, a student will just need to see examples to provide data that will eventually become a clear picture for them. I provide examples and guide them through working these examples on their own.