What is your teaching philosophy?

My teaching philosophy is grounded in the belief that education is a unique experience for every single student. When I am tutoring, I investigate where the student is struggling and meet them at that point. I work to break down material and then build it back up to strengthen the student's depth of knowledge. One of the best ways for a student to learn and retain information is to teach it back.

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

In the first session with a student, I always try and get to know them outside of the subject matter we are about to work on. Finding a common ground or mutual interests allows me to connect with the student and form a relationship. I would then investigate where the student is struggling and meet them there.

How can you help a student become an independent learner?

In order for a student to become an independent learner, it is important for the student to find their own mistakes. A student will learn more when they can find their own mistakes and explaining why it is wrong, rather than a teacher jumping in immediately to correct it.

How would you help a student stay motivated?

In order to help a student stay motivated, I would first try and connect with them on a common interest outside of their schoolwork. Getting to know a student on a more personal level allows the tutor to find a common ground to refer back to. Moreover, I would help the student set small goals/make a checklist for themselves in order to visualize their progress.

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

I would find out where the student is struggling and build a foundation from there. When you meet the student where they struggle, you can work on steps to increase understanding.