What is your teaching philosophy?

My teaching philosophy is to teach for understanding rather than memorization. I believe that students should always try and understand the steps toward solving a problem and be able to reason through them. Doing so will allow them to apply their knowledge in new and different situations.

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

I would probably assess their current knowledge and problem-solving skills for that particular subject. I might observe them attempting to solve a problem and listen to their reasoning. Once I have done that, I would decide on some appropriate material to teach them, and then I would have them work through the problems with me.

How can you help a student become an independent learner?

I aim to teach students how to study and learn material. My goal is not to teach memorization but rather to find an optimal learning strategy tailored to each student's learning style.

How would you help a student stay motivated?

I will be positive, friendly, and encourage students to go beyond basic memorization and start solving problems.

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

I would determine what they know and what they need to know. I would think of other ways of explaining the material as well as analogies and ways of conveying the meaning of a particular concept in terms of something they recognize.

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

I would teach them effective reading strategies such as engaging with the text and looking for keywords. They would learn to read critically and analytically.