What is your teaching philosophy?

When tutoring a student, my goal is to encourage him/her to arrive at the correct answer on their own, providing guidance and help where appropriate. I push them to solve each part of each problem on their own by presenting them with questions that will aim them in the right direction, forcing them to come to the right conclusion on their own, and therefore improving their knowledge of the subject as well as their problem-solving skills.

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

I would incorporate subjects or hobbies the student IS interested in into the subject being discussed.

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

When the student can walk me through a group of questions on the subject being discussed and describe how to arrive at the right answer, the student has thoroughly learned the subject. The best way to learn something is by teaching it, and when you can teach a topic to another person, you know you have a good understanding of the subject.

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

Constant reassurance, and praise when progress is made.

How do you evaluate a student's needs?

By having a discussion with the student, and their parents if they are a minor, prior to actual tutoring to get a feel for the student's personality and how knowledgeable they are on the subject. I also like to experiment with several teaching methods early on to see what type of learner they are.

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

By discovering what type of learner they are and adjusting my tutoring methods to fit their needs.

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

I use online resources the majority of the time. When appropriate, I will also use materials like flashcards. For younger students, I might even turn the tutor session into a game if it is appropriate for the subject matter.