(no subject)
The other day I went to tutor Tiffany who is one of 3 high school students that I tutor. She is my fav because we can act pretty silly while still teaching her Spanish. She came in and when I met her I could tell she was pretty shy. She seemed to have little confidence in speaking Spanish and understanding the grammar. I have been tutoring since the start of the school year and bit by bit I have seen her confidence grow. I like how comfortable she is around me and despite the fun we have her grade goes to show she is understanding everything. She is a smart girl, but I won't lie, this feeling of proudness comes when you see the tutoring pay off in them getting the grade they wanted. Yesterday when we go into the room to tutor she hands what looks to me like a note, but it was actually a small card- a late christmas gift card...I told her it wasn't expected and thanked her for the gesture. Her mom later went on to thank me personally for all the help I have given to her daughter. She told me how Tiffany gets excited to come to our sessions. She said "Tiffany says you make learning fun and you make her see things in a very simplistic way."...awww that warmed my heart. Honestly comments like that make what I do a true joy. It's one thing to have a philosophy or way of going about a goal, but to get reassurance from a student is amazing. People always ask me if I am a strict or easy teacher. I reply, I'm neither. I expect to be treated with respect and if you don't show it to me get out. You have to lay the law down right away. First impressions are vital with kids. I want them to see and understand things the way I do in a simple and practical way.I want to provide them with a safe and welcoming atmosphere where they wake up and look forward to coming to school and if they do not understand something to feel safe and confident in coming to me and communicating and of course in return I will provide you with all the knowledge I can and through it all share my sillyness and my love of life and spread it all among you. In the future all I can hope is that they become wonderfull individuals who give back to their community in some way and that even if they don't remember my name when they get old and grey that they can remember a great memory we had learning about life together :) and I'm out.