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

Flashcards, practice problems and testing.

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

Break problems down into step-by-step problems. Many small accomplishments add up to a large accomplishment.

How do you evaluate a student's needs?

Conduct a pre-assessment to identify the student's strengths and weaknesses, and create a study plan for moving further.

What is your teaching philosophy?

Problem based learning.

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

I would ask them what they would like the sessions to focus on in order to make a tutoring plan, as well as evaluate their strengths and weaknesses through a mini assessment.

How can you help a student become an independent learner?

I will give the student formative feedback, and help them to set goals that they can work independently to achieve.

How would you help a student stay motivated?

I would help the student set goals, cultivate discipline, use the power of positive thinking and learn not to give up. Learning is supposed to hurt a little.

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

As students read, I have them jot down a few words to the side of the paragraphs about what that paragraph was about. By the time they are done with the passage, they have notes to look back on about the theme of each paragraph.

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

I ask the student what they feel they are struggling with and/or would like to focus on, then I do an assessment to see what their strengths and weaknesses are. I will use their strengths as tools to help with where they are struggling.