I often wonder what direction the kids I tutor end up going when we finish our work together. Sometimes I find out about them when I run into their parents; this one went to Mt. Holyoke College, that one is a famous sous-chef, one is a semi-famous actor, another joined the Air Force. They may be leading more ordinary but fulfilling lives, which is good, too. I feel a little pride and a sense I helped make a difference in their lives. If I guided them to build their success, opened their eyes to the value of education, goals and resourcefulness, well, I've done what I love to do: make a difference.
If you follow college football, you may have heard of one of my former students, Ndamukong Suh. I tutored him for a short while in fifth grade, and was impressed with his motivation and his family support. He went on to be a top athlete (earning his own entry in Wikipedia! see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ndamukong_Suh ) and many awards and honors. He also decided to stay and finish out his senior year at Nebraska, rather than quit to go into the NFL draft. I can't imagine him doing anything else (or his mom letting him!)
The kind of work I get to do with young people is rewarding in itself. When I find out my students have followed their dreams, my passion for tutoring and hope for the next generation is renewed. I'm grateful to do what I love, and learn from my students as they learn from me.
