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

I would go back to the basics. Subjects get quite complex, but they only build off of the basics-- which are simple. So, I would refresh their memory on the basics that they have already learned and teach them how they can apply those techniques to the more complex ones. I would also make them take notes as we are going over a concept step-by-step so they can refer to this if needed in the future.

What is your teaching philosophy?

My tutoring style helps students of all ages become eager, independent self-learners. I aim to create a fun, encouraging environment that is suitable for each and every individual student in which students develop trust and knowledge, and feel comfortable asking questions and tackling challenging topics with confidence. I love working with students and finding which learning method works best for them. My goal is for her students to become independent through tutoring, in which I have found success!

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

In the first session with a student, I think it's extremely important to get to know a little bit about one another, and for us to set goals for the student. It's important to feel comfortable with one another and form a relationship before we begin our lessons. Coming up with a goal together is also very necessary so that we can plan each lesson with that very goal in mind.

How can you help a student become an independent learner?

I think the most important part of tutoring is getting your student to become an independent learner. Instead of telling them how to do something, I would ask them questions that would guide them to solve a problem on their own. Students tend to underestimate their knowledge, but by guiding them, they slowly will feel confident in being independent.

How would you help a student stay motivated?

I would start by getting to know them a bit, and getting a feel for their attitudes toward learning. This way, I can come up with lesson plans most suitable for them. I try to make learning fun, engaging, and most of all successful. Once a student feels that he or she can fully grasp a subject, they will naturally become more motivated. Motivation comes with the ability to do.

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

I have my students who are struggling with reading comprehension read passages aloud and tell me, in their own words, what each paragraph is about. This way I can help them come to an understanding about what the passage is about. After doing so, answering reading comprehension questions would be a lot easier.

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

I have found success in guiding my students the right way, without doing the work for them. I believe it's important to build confidence, and I always start with the basics so that they feel that they are capable of working their way up. I never want them to feel overwhelmed, so I like to start with topics they know. Then, as we start progressing, my goal is for them to use their basic knowledge to tackle the more complex subjects. This strategy has been most successful for me as a teacher.

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

I would have them do the work themselves, with me simply guiding them. This way, they are engaged. I would also, if I could relate the subject or topic we are going over to a real-life situation, specifically choose something my students find interest in. This way, it can be fun and easier for them to grasp.

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

To be sure my students understand what they are doing, I would tell them to explain it to me. If it were a math problem, I would tell them to explain each and every step they took to solve that problem.

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

I would build a student's confidence in a subject by proving to them that they always know more than they think. I would ask them basic questions about the subject, and they would soon find that they do know more than they think. It's just about building your knowledge and fully understanding a concept, and that comes with practice.

How do you evaluate a student's needs?

I evaluate a student's needs by asking them a few questions on the subject they are having trouble with, or I ask them to explain to me how they would go about solving a problem. From there, I would have a good understanding of what they know and what they need help with.

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

After our first session, I would get a feel for what they need from me, and I would make sure to proceed and plan my lessons accordingly.

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

I always have a paper and pencil. I also have notes I make prior to the session about what the lesson should entail.