What is your teaching philosophy?

Understanding a concept comes from seeing it from multiple points of view and through multiple perspectives. Each one of these will incrementally lead to better understanding. Finally, and most importantly, application is the bridge to understanding.

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

I would ensure I really understand what they know, what they need to know, and the steps we will take to get there. Also, establishing rapport with a student and making sure the student is motivated to work will make any kind of studying work better.

How can you help a student become an independent learner?

The right kinds of questions. Helping someone critically think about a subject is way more important than telling them about it.

How would you help a student stay motivated?

Breaks are important, whether they are 2 minutes or 30 seconds. It is important to let the student relax at least a little. Additionally, each student will have different intrinsic motivators, and openly discussing what those may be for a student from the beginning is important to help keep engagement and motivation high.

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

First, pause. No person is in prime state for learning when they are frustrated. Second, revisit the concept from an angle the student understands. If they like sports, relate the concept to their favorite sport.

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

This depends very much on the reading level that students are at (textbook versus passage), but one of the key things is helping them to organize the story or information in a way that their brain will be able to hold on to that information. Working to develop these cognitive strategies with each student will increase the likelihood they understand the material they are attempting to absorb.

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

The most important thing is to point out the student's strengths. People like to know they are doing well. So actively helping them know what they are doing right will boost their confidence.

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

Anything that I can think of to help a student understand. Whether that is drawing/writing out a problem, or watching a video. I believe in the power of technology!

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

Get to know them and be fun. Everyone is more successful when they are engaged, and all people are more engaged when they feel like the person they are working with really cares about them personally and they are having fun.

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

Point out the progress they have made, and illustrate (very specifically) the strengths that they do have in the subject.

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

The right questions go a long way, and I believe in application questions. If a student can apply the material or teach me the material, then they have learned it.

How do you evaluate a student's needs?

Listen! Every student has something to give, so asking questions, being curious and listening what they are saying -- I mean really hearing -- will help you know what they need.

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

Pay attention! Teaching is not about presenting. It is an interactive experience where you listen, watch, and observe to see what the student needs. Be prepared to either take a step down (lower language, decrease speed, allow more processing time) or step up (increase student application of material).