My teaching philosophy is that the student always come first. People learn in different ways, and a tutor must be able to adapt to every unique student. It is my top priority to get the best out of every student.

In a first session, I would introduce myself to the student, not only on a professional level, but on a personal one as well. I would have the student introduce themselves to me, and give me information about their hobbies, interests, and what they hope to accomplish in our sessions. I would also ask them questions about the subject being covered, as to obtain insight about their background or existing knowledge and skill.

A quality tutor can be instrumental in turning the student into an independent learner. This can be accomplished through guided critical analysis, attention to the individual needs and learning style of students, and challenging the student to not only answer questions, but understand the underlying elements of the subject being studied.

Some students need extra motivation when facing difficult subjects or assignments. A tutor can provide extra motivation through the development of a connection with their student, and the development of a clear learning plan.

I would push that student to not shy away from the skill or concept that is giving them difficulty, but to embrace it. Any student is capable of achieving, and a good tutor will not allow a student to become discouraged. I would take them step by step through the necessary process, and ensure they understand the reasoning behind every step.

I would encourage them to take their time and think critically about the text they are struggling with. What is the author trying to get across in the text? What are the key words? These are the important questions when a student is struggling with comprehension.

When starting work with a new student, I have found the development of a personal connection to be an important step to success. If a student feels connected to the tutor, then they will ultimately feel more comfortable with the material.

If a student is lacking engagement and struggling with a subject, then I would cater my lesson plan to the individual learning style and personality of the student in question. People learn in all kinds of different ways, and it is important that a lesson plan is crafted for each student to get them as engaged and excited as possible in the subject material.

To ensure students understand the subject material, it is important to question them throughout a session and keep pushing them to challenge themselves. This encourages critical analysis and deeper understanding of the subject material.

You can help students build confidence in a subject by setting achievable goals. Upon completion of these goals, a student will not only have increased confidence, but should be able to move further into the subject material.

I typically evaluate a student's needs through a few methods. Primarily, simply asking students where they believe they are in their understanding of the subject material is important. Additionally, having students answer questions or show previous work they have done on the topic will give a tutor great insight into the needs of students.

Every student has different needs, and it is critical to academic success to cater tutoring to fit the specific learning style of each student. This can be accomplished through continued communication with the student and a willingness to adapt lesson plans on the part of the tutor.

The materials that can be used in a tutoring session can vary greatly. Any material the student wishes to introduce or use should be considered, as well as relevant materials provided on the tutoring website.