What is your teaching philosophy?

Learning and discovery is an exploration founded on curiosity, independence, and fun. It is most fruitful when done with eagerness and excitement to not only unravel answers and arrive at final destinations but to discover the hidden explanations behind those answers. I believe that teaching is a two-way process where the student and the tutor work together to solve a problem together. I won't tell you the answers; instead, I will ask questions that will make you more curious so that you can grow more independent in subject areas.

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

In a typical first session with a student, I ask questions to understand their desires, goals, learning style, personality, and academic and social achievements. I also start working with them on goal setting in order to set definite and measurable end outcomes. I also discuss expectations that both the student and I can agree upon.

How can you help a student become an independent learner?

Helping a student become an independent learner involves asking questions that do not involve solely regurgitation of the material. Instead, it involves and encourages the student to become a detective in their work. Rather than having the teacher to ask basic questions that earn them correct answers every time, it may be necessary to ask hard and critical questions to stimulate critical thinking that are necessary for application based questions. This way, students will have the tools to discover and solve problems on their own.

How would you help a student stay motivated?

To help a student stay motivated, I would consistently remind the student what the goal is, the rewards, and the importance of completing the involved assignments along the way.

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

If a student has difficulty learning a skill or concept, I would first diagnose where and why the student does not understand a certain concept or skill. From there, I would adapt the material so that it is conveyed in a way that the student can understand. Sometimes, this may involve further exploration in how they may perceive the material in a real-life situation, the student's personal interests, etc.

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

Helping students who are struggling with reading comprehension involves personal and consistent interactions with the text. Often, to do this, it involves working with students to identify key details and other concepts, such as main idea, to help them understand.

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

Strategies that I have found to be most successful when I start to work with a student is to instill a profound sense of purpose in the tutor relationship. I begin with the notion that there are endless possibilities in career options if they were to successfully and cooperatively work with me.

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

To get a student excited/engaged with a subject they are struggling in, I would frame the activity as a challenge or competition along with on the side coaching support. Often, this may involve asking hard questions and encouraging them that they are close to the answer but not quite.

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

To ensure that a student understands the material, I would ask application based questions that involve open-ended critical thinking responses. This would ensure that they understand the material enough to teach it to someone else in their own words.

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

To build a student's confidence in a subject, I would review with them prior lessons and ask review questions. I would instill in them a sense of accomplishment based on what they are able to answer correctly. I would also show them the success that they have made.

How do you evaluate a student's needs?

I evaluate a student's needs by assessing what they know and understand, what they are struggling with, reasons for struggling (both academic and social factors), and the student's learning style.

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

I adapt my tutoring to the student's needs by taking out and focusing on specific areas that the student does not understand. Often, this may mean reviewing minor details as opposed to the general overall subject. For example, if a student cannot add fractions with common denominators, it may mean that we need to review what a denominator is if that is the reason why the student is not understanding.

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

During a tutoring session, I use manipulatives, pencils, paper, and art materials.