What is your teaching philosophy?

I believe that enthusiasm is contagious. The expertise and energy that I bring will motivate students to practice and understand the material, both in and outside of the tutoring session.

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

I would let the student know that he can only be as successful as he wants to be. I am happy to help him, work with him, and answer his questions. However, we have to work as a team with a common goal.

How can you help a student become an independent learner?

I will teach the student the importance of learning. He will understand that knowledge is the key to appreciating life. Once he internalizes the value of staying curious, he will never stop learning.

How would you help a student stay motivated?

My amicability and energy will cause the student to feel excited about our sessions. His/her enthusiasm for the tutoring will be reflected in his/her enthusiasm for the learning.

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

I will work hard to pinpoint exactly what the student does not understand. I am very patient and easy to communicate with. With my involvement, the student will feel comfortable tackling challenges.

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

I will go through the passage slowly, reminding them to look for key details and repetition of phrases. Then, I will question them colloquially on the reading in order to make the material more accessible. Then we move on to the real questions.

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

It helps to be kind, enthusiastic, and clear about expectations. The student needs to know that the tutor is there to help him. A comfortable environment typically leads to higher levels of understanding.

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

Every subject has some cool application or interesting use in the real world. For example, I could get a student excited about English by showing him the trailer for the Great Gatsby. This will get him excited about the story. I could get a student enthused about Geometry by shooting basketball with him. These real-world applications tend to get students the most excited.

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

I would start with basic comprehension questions, increasing the difficulty in accordance with his success. Then, I would say "Let's switch roles," and have him explain the material to me without referencing a textbook.

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

You build confidence through encouragement and repetition. My ability to stay patient, provide support, and communicate clearly would ensure this.

How do you evaluate a student's needs?

I would evaluate the student's needs by listening closely to his questions and communicating ways to solve his problems.

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

I will listen to the student's questions and gauge his level of effort in order to calibrate my approach. My goal is to motivate, not to rule with an iron fist.

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

I will use any materials that can help a student improve within reason. For reading comprehension, highlighters and vocabulary flash cards should suffice. For mathematics, counters, pie props (for fractions), and online games would work.