I have found that many modern teaching methods allow for what I call "rapid retention" of a learning topic, but never materialize into knowledge that is valuable longer term. I am a firm believer in the Socratic method, because it challenges both instructor and student to interact with the challenge on hand in a way that both people are enriched permanently, and retain the lessons learned longer term.

I would first love to find out more about my student and the teachers they have loved/been challenged by, so that I can start to understand what type of learner my student is. Once I understand how my student best learns, I can adapt my lesson plans and my approach to the material on hand.

ENABLE. EMPOWER. EDUCATE.

My Socratic method of teaching, most of all, is what leads a student to independence. As a tutor, that is my primary goal! Part of my brand and what makes me special is that I seek to enable, empower, and educate my students!

I have been discouraged many times, and that is what makes me, as a tutor, actually relatable to my students. Things don't always come easy. Tutors may breeze through material and make it look easy, but that is so frustrating as a student! I understand that crucial point, and relate to my students on a more core level. Furthermore, constant positive feedback is paramount to motivating my students.

Break down the skill or concept to even more elementary pieces and building blocks. I will, and have, gone to the figurative and literal molecular level if need be. Oftentimes, tutors "assume" that a student is familiar with a concept, as if it were a prerequisite. Not I.

As someone with a lot of public speaking experience, I understand that changing my intonation, meter, and cadence are oftentimes enough to address reading comprehension. It is part of the process of encouraging the student to take the time to digest what they are reading and to interact with it in a different way. How I read to students has an immediate result in this regard.

The Socratic method of teaching, as well as involving a healthy amount of humor and energy into what I am doing. Once I make my student forget that we are doing "homework", I've got them!

My own enthusiasm, as well as my natural curiosity, are contagious. Beyond that, making an "impact" statement - how the curricula may be important to the student later on in life - is a good way to engage the student.

Constant understanding checks are necessary, and the way I like to do this personally is by asking the student to explain the material to me without making it sound like a test.

The understanding checks that I perform are a great confidence booster, especially when combined with how positive my sessions are.

The initial meeting with my student is of primary importance - I work quickly and ask many questions to establish where the student's learning experience has gone awry, and why. What individuals/personality types/teaching methods have been effective in the past? Where does the student feel strong, or weak? To what causes are these strengths or weaknesses attributed? These are all answers I get in the first 5 minutes of speaking with a student.

Every student is dynamic, and that is why I excel as teaching, and love it. All of my professional experience has been in dynamic environments with diverse people. Having studied this in psychology at university, I focus on every style of learning with each student -- an effort to "build those muscles" -- so that when they encounter that teaching style, they can better absorb the material. When a student is having difficulty with a concept, I shall appeal to their dominant learning category. That said, I invest in each of my student's learning styles.

This depends on my student, but typically pen and paper until I have to break out the bigger tools! I have a well-tooled work space and am spoiled for choice when necessary.