I think that a good teacher should address not just the material being studied, but also the attitude towards studying in general. The way we approach our studies gives us the opportunity to sharpen our work ethic and self-esteem, as well as allowing us to develop a vision for our futures.

In a first session, I think it is really important to get an idea of what the student's needs are. I like to perform some diagnostic exercises to identify strengths and weaknesses, and discuss with the student the trajectory that we would like our sessions to take.

For a student to become an independent learner, it is my job as a tutor to go beyond the classroom or test prep material we are covering and encourage them to develop a robust intellectual curiosity. Curiosity is the key to all independent learning.

I think positive reinforcement is the key to keeping students motivated. That looks different for every student, but the essence is always the same: students should be rewarded for their hard work and advancement with recognition from their tutor.

This will vary by subject, but in general, I find that the best way to make a concept more understandable is to parse it into smaller pieces. By examining the individual components of a concept or skill, and making helpful comparisons to previously learned material, the student will start to see the bigger picture.

Reading comprehension issues typically stem from one or both of two sources: unknown vocabulary and drawing inferences. Both of these must be addressed to improve the student's skills. I like to practice vocabulary with lexical sets and etymology, which helps the student cast a wider net in determining the meanings of unfamiliar words. And I find that reading comprehension can be improved with critical thinking exercises using quotes to spark a line of logical reasoning. If the student becomes more comfortable interrogating the information in front of them, their comprehension will improve.

Excitement and engagement can be stimulated by attaching goals and achievements to the material being studied. If a student has an exam hanging over her head, then studying becomes a dreaded exercise. But if, instead, that same student sets a target grade or threshold that she wants to achieve on that exam, then it becomes almost like a game.

Positive reinforcement. Walk with the student every step of the way through the material, and let them know when they've made progress! The tutor should be the student's number one fan.