What is your teaching philosophy?

I believe the best way to help a student learn is to not show them how to solve the problem, but to help them work it out themselves

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

I would introduce myself and find out what areas in the subject we are working on are giving the student the most difficulties. I would also want to know where they are in their learning so far.

How can you help a student become an independent learner?

I can help them be an independent learner by assigning them problems to do on their own. Also, I wouldn't just show them how to solve the problem, but get them to think for themselves on what steps to do.

How would you help a student stay motivated?

I would help them stay motivated by letting them know that practicing is the only way in which they will get better.

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

I would go over the concept with the student until they understand it. Sometimes a certain approach doesn't work, so I would go about the concept in different ways until they understand it.

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

I help them by going over reading passages with them. Together we can look at each paragraph and determine what the author is trying to say. It helps the students if they can put the paragraph into their own words.

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

I would make sure the student understands the materials by having them do problems without me giving input on how to solve them.

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

A student's confidence grows with the more they are able to understand. If they start answering questions correctly, they will believe that they can answer more right in the future.

How do you evaluate a student's needs?

I evaluate a student's needs by testing them at the beginning and seeing what they need the most help on. I can also evaluate their needs if, while we are doing work, I find that a particular type of problem gives them trouble.

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

I adapt my tutoring to a student's needs by understanding how that student learns best. Some people learn best by having a problem explained to them, while others learn by being shown an example first.

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

I get them excited by helping them to gain confidence in that subject. The more they start to understand, the more their confidence will grow.

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

I find that when I start to work with a student, it is best to test them on their knowledge. This can be done, for example with the SAT, by giving them a practice test, or with an individual subject by talking with them about where they are in their studies and what they are having difficulty with.

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

For the SAT/ACT, I use books that have practice tests in them. For individual subject areas, I use the textbooks that they have already been assigned in school. I might also find them additional books to help them understand the subject more thoroughly.