What is your teaching philosophy?

Teach the why and the how, not just the what. Comprehending patterns and greater concepts is more important than memorizing how to answer individual questions. When you're struggling, break things down into the smallest parts possible.

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

I like to ask questions, get to know the student, and hear from them what they want to work on. But I also really want to dive into the material. We won't be able to clearly see areas that need work until we are actually dealing with the material, so I want to start that process as quickly as possible.

How can you help a student become an independent learner?

Teaching isn't just about facts, but about teaching someone how to learn. Study skills and critical thinking skills are just as important as academic concepts.

How would you help a student stay motivated?

Depending on the student, there are a lot of options. Some students do well with reward-based motivation. Some respond well to alternating subjects so they don't zone out. Some need a variety of learning styles or simply to take a quick physical break to clear their head.

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

Oftentimes, breaking something into the smallest actionable steps is the best course of action. Whether the student is struggling with algebra or writing a research paper, oftentimes concepts are difficult because they are overwhelming. It's also important to understand the benefits of sleep. When something has been explained and practiced at length, sometimes a night of sleep can be the final piece to understanding a concept.

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

把它缓慢,逐字逐句地。通常我们光泽over words we don't know and lose the overall meaning of a passage. Start by taking things slow, and as reading comprehension improves, the speed can increase.