What is your teaching philosophy?

I believe that students should be encouraged to do their best using personalized motivation. This includes discussion of individual goals, dreams, and how to achieve them; reminders of how hard work (especially in subjects the student is less enthusiastic about) can help lead to personal success; and a rewards system for periodic instant gratification.

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

I always start by getting to know a student. This means talking about their likes and dislikes, talents and struggles, learning style, goals, and dreams.

How can you help a student become an independent learner?

I focus on teaching my students how to more effectively learn based on their learning style, rather than teaching them specific answers. This includes how to actively read, listen, and take notes in the most efficient way for them.

How would you help a student stay motivated?

I keep my students motivated through two main methods. The first is through reminding them how hard work and effort can help them achieve their personal goals. The second is through a small rewards system that keeps them excited and motivated to do well by offering small rewards when they work hard and get good grades.

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

I would start by explaining the skill or concept to them in several different ways, to help students who don't always think in a typical way. Following that, I would review concepts leading up the one they are having difficulty with to ensure they have a solid foundation and then use their personal strengths to reframe the concept in a way that is easier for them to grasp.

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

Often it is helpful for students who are having trouble with reading comprehension to learn how to read actively. I would teach this student important techniques such as highlighting, taking notes in the margins, and looking up words they don't know as they read.

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

The most important aspect of my relationship with a student is just that: our relationship. I want my students to be comfortable expressing their likes and dislikes, problem areas, goals, and dreams to me so I can help them in more personalized, efficient ways. The first step to working with a student for me is getting to know them, talking to them, and making them feel comfortable.

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

When a student is struggling, it is often helpful to use their personal goals to motivate them to get excited about the subject that is troubling them. For instance, if a student wants to be a doctor but isn't excited about reading, they tend to be more enthusiastic once they understand that reading is an important part of going to medical school.

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

The first part of understanding material is making sure that the student has a solid background and foundation of the concepts leading up to the current material. This involves review and practice of older material before jumping into new concepts.

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

Practice, practice, practice! The more a student practices specific concepts, the more comfortable they will feel. However, sometimes students get bored with practicing the same technique over and over again. To keep students interested, it is important to offer them ways to practice that are more interesting and relevant to them than just solving written problems over and over again.

How do you evaluate a student's needs?

Evaluating my student's needs first involves talking to both them and their parents to find out their perspective on what is challenging for them. Communication is key.

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

I adapt my curriculum and strategies based on how well similar strategies have worked with that particular student. If they tend to be more motivated by their personal goals, I motivate them more using that as opposed to a rewards system. If they respond more to games using the material, I will create more game-like activities to get them more excited than just practicing with written problems.

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

The materials often depend on how the student responds to certain techniques. However, I love using flashcards, games, and highlighters/markers to make learning fun!