What is your teaching philosophy?

I ask them what subjects they need the most help in, and what subjects they enjoy or don't like so much. And I'll ask how much they enjoy school generally. That way, you can see how motivated they are and where they need the most help.

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

I would ask what about schoolwork they are having the most difficulty with and what they feel they need to work on the most to be a better student. For any particular subject, I would try to focus on what specifically is unclear to the student.

How can you help a student become an independent learner?

By trying to inspire a love of learning and a genuine curiosity about the academic subjects they are studying. Students may thus be motivated to learn more on their own because the material is interesting and learning more about it is fun.

How would you help a student stay motivated?

By trying not let them get too stressed when they are struggling. Most, if not all, students struggle at times, particularly with subjects they lack interest in or feel they are just not good at, and this can affect motivation. I would say pretty much every student struggles at times, and that's ok. The important thing is to keep trying but not be too hard on yourself when you're having difficulty.

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

I would try to explain the skill or concept simply and try to specifically see what the student can and cannot do on their own. If the skills or understanding of a concept are lagging, i.e. they are trying to learn multiplication but are still are having some trouble with addition--that's ok; that's where time with a tutor can really help a student catch up to where they should be.

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

By stopping a student after reading a sentence or two and asking what the sentences are about. What is the author trying to say? Reading comprehension is about what the words mean rather than just how they are pronounced. Learning vocabulary is obviously essential, but also I would to try to make connections to a student's own experience and knowledge that the reading might suggest--such as if it's about a place they've been to or just heard about. That can help increase comprehension and motivation.

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

I would talk about the potential benefits that being good at a particular subject can offer, apart from just getting a good grade. So if a student doesn't like math, I might talk about all the great careers that people who are good at math can have. Also, I would talk about how learning can help you appreciate things more. So if a student finds learning about the Civil War boring, for example, I would say, if they live here in NYC, they could visit Grant's Tomb. They'll be able to enjoy it more if they know about Grant and his service in the Civil War.