What is your teaching philosophy?

My general attitude is that every student has the ability to learn but in a way that is unique to them. It's my job to find the best way that each student learns and to catalyze their success.

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

When meeting a first-time student, I think I would like to get to know their personality to find out what motivates them and what their goals are.

How can you help a student become an independent learner?

The best way to teach students to be independent learners is to find the subjects that excite and motivate them. Also to teach them effective life and study habits that they can use every day.

How would you help a student stay motivated?

Staying motivated day in and day out can be hard, but if you have a strong grasp of the end goal, it is easier to stay focused each day. As they say "eyes on the prize."

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

I would try to find a new way to practice the skill that the student had not thought about before, incorporating some details that would surely engage them and their interest level, perhaps using examples that involve their favorite sports team, family member, friend, or video game, or approaching the problem in a funny or humorous way.

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

Practice is the key but also finding the right reading material could be helpful. Sometimes finding stories that appeal to the student or favorite subjects can help people to engage in reading.

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

I think you have to make it clear from the get-go that you care about the student and their progress. People can sense if you care.

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

Confidence with a subject comes from practice and achievement and usually takes time. A tutor's role is to be supportive and motivate.

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

Approach the material in a novel way that engages all their interests and favorite things.

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

Sometimes it takes more than one approach to teach a student a concept. I will pull out all the stops. I will use whatever technique works if it helps to add to the student's experience and understanding.

How do you evaluate a student's needs?

Knowing a student's needs comes from time and getting to know what the student's strengths and difficult areas are.

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

Pictures, maps, 3D models, audio, songs, online references, websites, personal experiences and anecdotes, YouTube, excerpts of written passages, works of art, etc.