This article was written by TutorLyft tutor Sydney Chertoff, who brings her own experience and perspective as an educator to share what really makes tutoring meaningful.
Childhood ideas about tutors
Just like teachers, I always imagined tutors to be adults who had all the answers to my questions. They were essentially personified versions of the “I’m feeling lucky” button on Google (yes, we may be a bit older). Unless my tutor was actively tutoring me on a Tuesday evening, they were tucked away in their nondescript homes - running into them at a grocery store was not only the ultimate form of humiliation, but had the potential to rock my entire understanding of the tutor-student relationship. I mean, what else did my tutors really have to do besides read funny stories to me or teach me how plants actually “breathe?” As I got older, as one does, I started to realize that my childhood impressions of tutors were not entirely accurate. Each tutor has their own life fulfilled by their families, friends, hobbies, even other jobs. More importantly, I realized that these unique lived experiences shape how they approached teaching.
If everyone taught the same way, there would be no place for tutors! Think about it – if your tutor spoke to you the same way your teacher did, would you even bother seeking out additional help? I for sure wouldn’t. Therefore, understanding your tutor’s unique background is essential to understanding whether they are going to be the right match for you and your specific needs. Nothing makes learning more fun than being able to talk about your favorite topics while tackling those tricky subjects. Now, don’t mistake getting to know your tutor for doing a deep internet dive resulting in a complete invasion of their privacy, boundaries are still critical, but it might be worth asking your tutor a few questions about themselves.
It is easy for little ones to forget that your tutor is not some all-knowing authority. Encouraging your child to ask their tutor questions rather than just passively engage, may help your child get more out of their session. Breaking the ice and realizing that your tutor may have also had a tutor when they were your age, or that you love the same sports team, or book series, whatever it may be, could be the key ingredient to a more successful session together. From the tutor’s perspective, it may also make it easier for them to make the content more relatable and therefore, more enjoyable!
The true value of tutoring
Having been a tutor for many years, I can honestly tell you that getting to know each other is mutually beneficial and the best part of the job. Sure, regular refreshers of how to divide fractions doesn’t hurt, but the real joy comes from hearing “Wow, its already been an hour?!”. It is not our job as tutors to mimic the classroom, but rather to enhance the learning process and make the material accessible. The job is not to judge where a student is, but to offer support so the student can get to where they want to go. As cliché as it sounds, your tutor will learn as much from you as you will from them. So, don’t waste the opportunity to get to know your tutor a bit more and connect! It is truly amazing what will happen if you try.
Written by TutorLyft tutor, Sydney Chertoff
