What is your teaching philosophy?

Every student is different.

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

I use ice breakers and light assessments with math from various grades.

How can you help a student become an independent learner?

I structure tutoring sessions around good organization, detailed note taking, deconstruction of textbook formatting, context clues, and I stress the strength of the internet as an infinite resource.

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

I use educational videos, attach subject to their interests and or idols. E.g.: speed = distance over time. For a young boy, this could possibly be taught with the visual of a football field's yard line and a famous football player doodled on paper.

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

Questioning along the lines of the multi-levels of Bloom's Taxonomy.

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

Start small with the most simple concepts and then slowly advance. Highlight and emphasize growth and success every step of the way.

How do you evaluate a student's needs?

I conduct an initial assessment upon introduction, use math problems of varying levels, look at writing samples, conduct reading comprehension drills, ask parents, and email a student's teachers.

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

Take note in post-lesson, and I reflect on what worked and what did not. Figure out how to improve. I bring materials and strategies appropriate for that student's learning style. I research new methods of dealing with a student's specific issues and try them all until one method excels.

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

I teach my students a variety of skills: identification of main idea; context clues; encourage googling of vocabulary; common affixes/word dissection; annotation; visualization. We also read together in turn and often stop for understanding via questioning for student interpretation.