What is your teaching philosophy?

Everyone can learn, but not everyone can learn the same way. Learning and studying is a unique process for everyone, and it's important to take time understanding how your brain works, and how you, uniquely, absorb information.

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

I want to take some time understanding where you are at, in terms of what you are seeking tutoring for. We'll talk about what you're comfortable with and what you aren't comfortable with. Your goals. And most importantly, how you learn. Maybe you prefer to study and practice one way, or maybe you just haven't figured out the best way for you to study. Together, we can figure out how to make studying and learning easier for you, and reinforce good academic habits. While having fun too!

How can you help a student become an independent learner?

Once a student understands how their brain works and how they respond to certain learning techniques, they can apply a learning and studying strategy independently. But together, we can try and figure out what those strategies are.

How would you help a student stay motivated?

Sometimes it is very hard to be motivated in subjects you struggle with, or subjects that generally don't interest you. But by setting goals and understanding and focusing on those goals can make the hard stuff worth it when there is a reward in the end.

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

首先,我希望我的学生to understand that everyone has learning difficulties in some areas. Everyone has strengths and weaknesses, and there is no reason to lose your confidence over a rough patch in your learning. So when we are tackling a skill or concept you are struggling with, we'll take a deep breath. We'll deconstruct and take apart the concept together, in easily digestible, less intimidating bits. If we take some time on the problem, that only makes it easier for you to remember and learn.

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

I find that a lot of students who struggle with comprehension get overwhelmed by the sheer volume of their passages or the books they're reading. It's important to focus on the small bits, and ignore what's ahead. Make notes for yourself after every few sentences, after every paragraph. Find a strategy that makes what you are reading altogether less intimidating.

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

Nothing is more satisfying than conquering the dreaded "enemy" of a tough subject. For instance, I used to really struggle with algebra going through school. But once I really started focusing on my learning strategy, and practicing and studying more than I wanted to, I found that it got easier and easier. And soon enough, I found that it became actually fun, knowing that this evil I used to dread, I had finally master. Every time I solved a problem, it was like a small victory for myself, because I used to have the mindset that algebra was bigger, and smarter than me. But alas, I found the algebra whiz within, and started to have fun with algebra homework.

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

Reinforcement is key to mastering material. Nothing proves more that you understand the material than putting it to practice, be it through solving math problems or answering comprehension questions. Even if it seems like we are beating a dead horse, exercising your skill can only reinforce the way you think about problems - to the point they become easy and even second nature.

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

Nothing builds confidence like conquering a subject you once dreaded. As we practice together, and you start to really grasp the subject, something will click in your brain! It sounds silly, but I've been there. Maybe the subject you hate won't become fun for you, but getting the right answers is always fun. That means you can stop stressing and start realizing you are a master at learning!

How do you evaluate a student's needs?

I believe in an open dialogue about your comfort levels in your subjects. We can talk about this together, and put it to the test. By doing warm up problems and practicing, a lot of things become clear. How you think about a problem, what comes easy, what doesn't. Once we figure that stuff out together, we can start setting goals for ourselves.

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

I am just a tool in your learning! I'm not here just to give you information, I'm here to facilitate the learning process, and to help you figure out what your learning process is. Everyone is unique!

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

I am not going to use the same materials for all of my students, because all of my students learn in an individual way. Maybe flash cards are your jam; maybe quizzes get the job done. And maybe, you don't know. But you, and me we'll figure it out together.

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

I am here to help YOU learn. I'm not here to just try and teach you something in my own way. We're going to do it your way! However your brain works is however we will tackle the material. So - my strategy is to figure out what your strategy is. We want to figure out how you learn best, what you're comfortable with, and what your goals are.