Understanding Tutoring 101

Principles of Tutoring: First in a Series

What is unique about tutoring?
How is it different from teaching?
If someone knows how to teach, they can tutor, too, right?
I often hear these questions--or assumptions based upon on them--and I like to have the opportunity to answer them.
A very common misconception is that tutoring and teaching are interchangeable. Actually, tutoring is very different from teaching. Teaching is more focused on instruction and presenting new information to students. Tutoring, on the other hand, uses the one-to-one relationship of the tutor and tutee (hey, that's a great word!) to guide the learner to full understanding and interaction with what has been taught. It is more like apprenticeship or coaching in that the individual's pace and learning style are fully incorporated into the process. Further, skills such as critical thinking and study habits are emphasized in a way that is difficult to do in a classroom setting. With the distractions of others in the group, competition, challenge of authority, and inattention to individual needs removed, a student can focus in a very different way on learning.
This is not meant to be a criticism of classroom teaching, either, just to be clear. Tutoring and teaching can be very complimentary in development of successful education. And each role, that of a teacher and of a tutor, requires specialized training to be highly skilled in either practice. Students who make the most of access both teachers and tutors find greater benefits for their education.

Write, write, write!

I've encountered more students than not who haven't had the pleasure of creative writing guidance. I say this because among a number of "superfluous" school classes, writing to simply express oneself (as opposed to persuasive essays, book reports, etc.) has been dropped or at least given short shrift in its importance.
So I urge everyone, regardless of whether you think you have anything worth writing, or can't spell, or whatever stops you, to get to the keyboard or pen and have at it. A journal, 2-paragraph rant, blog, cartoon word balloon, whatever format you want: jump in! The water may seem cold, or filled with Ghosts of Writing Assignments Past (reference Charles Dickens), but will soon become your own. Your experiences, ideas, passions, humor, anything you want can be put into words; and believe me, once you really get going, you'll find a voice you never knew.
I look forward to reading your future work!

Mapping your College Plan

Spring comes along, and your school year seems to pick up momentum. A little over 3 months may seem like a long time until summer, but if you're as busy as most high school students are, those months move by pretty quickly.

It's important to not get too caught up in the swoon of spring fever, and keep your eyes on your road to post high-school plans. There are a plethora (look it up!) of options including colleges and universities, community colleges, gap-year programs (a year off before going on to higher ed.), military enlistment, to name a few.

Most juniors gearing up for a four-year college should have their game plans laid out, with the help of parents, guidance counselors, and plenty of research (check out http://www.collegeboard.org if you haven't already.) Considerations for early admissions, familiarity with credit requirements and a number of other basics can make your process smooth and organized.

Seniors should be well on the way to having applications in and plans for financial aid. Final college visits can be helpful if there are still choices to be made.

This can be a nerve-wracking, but also exciting time of life: you have a the big Move ahead, but with planning it will be one of the most fulfilling times of our life! Best of luck!