What is your teaching philosophy?

I love to empower students by helping them really comprehend those tough math and science concepts. We look at a problem in many different ways until the student really grasps what is happening.

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

I try to get a feel for where the student is in their studies. I also try to get a feel for their best learning style.

How can you help a student become an independent learner?

I act mostly as support while the student attacks the problem. I encourage my students to not be afraid to tackle the problem and to not be afraid to have to look at the problem at different angles.

How would you help a student stay motivated?

Positive reinforcement is always best. I try to encourage my students to stay with and work through the frustration. If they can work through things, then they learn that they can work through the next time they feel frustrated as well.

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

We look at the concept at different angles and different ways until the student really comprehends what is going on.

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

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

We ease into our work, trying to gauge their best learning style.

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

The best way I know how to do this is to instill confidence in their abilities. I encourage them along the way, but my main goal is to empower.

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

I ask them a couple of things. I ask them to repeat what I said in their own words, and then I ask them to work a similar problem on their own.

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

In small steps of success in comprehending the topic material. Small, incremental steps add up to an overall feeling of confidence.

How do you evaluate a student's needs?

I test them to see how much they understand, and I try to meet them wherever they are in their understanding.

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

I try different ways of looking at and approaching a topic or concept until the student understands.

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

A lot of visual material, along with speaking to the student about the problem.