I believe it is important to take a difficult topic and relate it to what a student best understands and what they enjoy. By utilizing what a student enjoys, we can create an easier connection with the subject matter while avoiding senseless repetition.

I'd spend the first few minutes setting realistic, achievable goals and trying to get a good feel for what the student likes and dislikes, and what motivates them. From there, I'd get into the material from the basics to find why a student is coming for tutoring.

As well as teaching skills, I'd look at ways to teach students to study and develop the little extra time in the day to make them not only independent but also motivated. Even small times, such as time spent sitting in the car, can be wonderful opportunities to rehearse skills.

It's important to keep a student motivated by providing incentives. This is when it's important to communicate with the parents as to what motivates them and what they enjoy. I try to use gifts and rewards for reaching the goals.

I try to relate a topic to a student by talking to them about their passions and interests as well as slowing down. I would do my best to strongly encourage them as well as set aside time to relax, step back, and slow down to not overwhelm the student before going forward.

I do my best to work with the student, no matter what reading level they are at. I'd seek to help a student by having them rely on their reading level and gradually upping the level. I'd do my best to assign a short reading assignment between tutoring sessions on a given topic they enjoyed to boost their interest in reading.

The best strategy is instilling confidence in students so they believe every goal set out for them is achievable, and more. I seek to set small easily achievable goals before moving to larger goals. Second, it's important for students to trust the tutor and know that as their tutor, I'm going to put in twice as much effort in helping the student find the best and most efficient way of studying.

I do my best to relate a topic, algebra for example, into a topic they enjoy and are excited for. One student I tutored loved the Philadelphia Eagles, so I taught him in terms of points. One week the Eagles scored 30 points, so I helped him solve for questions by setting up the question as '30 = 7t + 3f.' The t represented touchdown while the f a field goal. We put in each scenario and expanded it for other questions such as 'Donovan McNabb throws for 224 yards in 36 attempts. What is his yards per attempt?' Small things like that can be related to any subject; history especially. Anything I can do to get a student involved is important.

It's important to ensure the student is able to explain the material to ascertain whether they understand the topic. I'd have a student explain a subject, and I'd pose questions for the student to answer.

Confidence is one of the greatest means to encourage a student. I first attempt to build goals with students, keeping the first few goals easily attainable. I'd employ encouragement early and often, letting them know I'm proud of their skills and believe in them as students.

It comes gradually. I like to talk to students and parents to see what they believe they are struggling with; however, I've noticed sometimes as tutoring occurs, topics a student didn't know where problems arise. I try to talk through the topic with a student and see where their needs lie.

Ultimately, it doesn't matter what I teach a student if they don't understand. I do my best to take a student's desires, dreams, and interests into consideration to adapt my teaching style as needed. No two people learn the same way, and it is my responsibility as a tutor to not just communicate, but communicate in a way a student best understands.

I like to utilize lectures, but I also love to utilize news materials to relate materials as well as pictures and other outlets.