What is your teaching philosophy?

Every student is unique and requires a set instruction tailored to meet his or her learning style.

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

Upon my first session, I introduce myself and develop a rapport with my student. Including finding out hobbies that might be integrated into the tutoring session. For example, if a student likes art, I will show him or her how art can be used for geometric construction.

How can you help a student become an independent learner?

Student needs to do the work himself. I may show him how to do a similar problem which he may do on his own. Developing self confidence in learning is cultivated by encouraging success.

How would you help a student stay motivated?

Praise a student for his SPECIFIC achievements. This should promote genuine self confidence when a student knows his success is accomplished by his own merits.

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

Breaking down a problem into manageable tasks is essential to both ensuring that the student will not only learn the concept but also give him the confidence that he CAN do it!.

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

Have the student understand the question or ask questions to help the student focus on relevant information in the passage or word problem. Using a highlighter, or underlining important ideas as he or she reads out loud is also helpful.

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

Coming up with a quick assessment to assess present skills and learning styles. This may include a math test assessing arithmetic, algebra or geometry skills. Make note of how a student learns best. For example, does he or she like to draw diagrams or pictures? This could suggest student is a visual learner.

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

In math, a student may encounter a difficult problem that he or she may struggle with. I would come up with a similar simpler problem that the student can manage solving. Then I would use what they would know to help him or her with a more difficult problem. If a student can see the similarity of a simpler problem, then he or she may not be as intimidated by the problem.

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

I would have them summarize, either in writing or orally, the material that needed to be learned.

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

Start off with easy material, but NOT too easy, so he or she can recognize his ability to achieve.

How do you evaluate a student's needs?

Questioning either written, oral or both.