Posts by Kate K.

Hello. To those of you who are desperately trying to pass or improve your scores on the ASVAB and/or the GED exam: You can improve and you can pass it.

You really can! You may say, "how is this possible"? I ask you this: have you done poorly in school and on tests in the past? You can really put those days of failure and frustration behind you. First you need to decide if doing better on the ASVAB or passing the GED is worth putting in some hard work. Success on those tests will open doors for you.

You can succeed! Are you willing to work hard? Can you spend a few hours a day working on reading, writing and math? The more "high quality time" you spend, the better your chances are. Before you groan and say "why do I have to practice?", I want you to think of it the way you think of one of your hobbies. Did you play sports, an instrument, dance, do a craft? If you did, you no doubt went to practice (not just the games).

Working hard to prepare for the tests is the same thing. For vocab, make flashcards; MEMORIZE! Shout them, sing them, read them, do whatever works. Math, get a tutor [preferably me ;-) ]. Write down the steps and procedures and formulas for different kinds of problems. These are like your roadmaps. DON'T leave home without them! Stay calm and practice, practice, practice.

My last ASVAB student followed my advice and went from a score of 23 to a score of 56. We met frequently, and she worked very hard when we were together and apart. So, if you are ready to work hard, email me and let's get you on the road to achievement!

I have written many many blog articles about teaching and learning, and believing in my students. What continually draws me to a student, and keeps me going? I will tell you. It is the chance to launch them. My favorite movies have involved teachers that help their students. "To Sir With Love", "To Sir With Love II", "The Marva Collins Story", "Dangerous Minds", "Stand and Deliver", "Music of the Heart", "Lean on Me", and others in a similar vein. The thing they have in common is that their students are wounded. Wounded by life, past teachers, other students, or their own failures. What else do they have in common? The joy the students experience when they learn how much they are really capable of...they reach a point where they are compelled to strive.

What do I love? Oh, my---what I love more than anything is helping them heal from the past heartbreak or sorrow. Empowering them. I tell every one of my students, you are going to be fine, you are going to succeed. I won't accept that they "stink at this subject", "stink at test-taking", "stink at school".

I love to show them how absolutely MARVELOUS they really are. I think back on my own academic life. I was extraordinarily blessed by a fabulous combination of teachers. Some were warm and supportive. Some would holler and be sarcastic (like a football coach would); but sometimes I even sought out those types of teachers. That was me.

Many of my students have been emotionally traumatized by the whole process. They need a tutor-coach who believes in them and sees their real gifts that have been marred by non-success. It is really a calling to be able to help them see themselves differently and learn new skills, strategies and styles.

Have I currently figured out the best way to reach every single one of my students? I have to say there are a few where I need to do even better. However, I do know that I believe in my students--and I am always trying to come up with new ways for the occasional student or two of mine that is resisting. Why? I keep going, and keep on doing it because I am determined that "not one will be lost" (no, not even one).

Do you find yourself getting scared or freezing up just thinking about a test? Do you get so nervous preparing for a test that you feel like spinning your wheels? Do you feel overwhelmed because it seems like there is a huge mountain of material you do not know?

Let's approach it differently! One tactic you can take is to take a piece of paper out (or some index cards, your choice) and write down everything you can think of that you do know! Look at the chapter headings in your text, and write down what that triggers in your mind. Doing this will help you focus on the positive. You know more than you realize! And if you know nothing, remember, you can only improve!

Now: do you get really jittery during the test? I am sure you have been told to breathe deeply or slowly, and you say "I have tried that and it doesn't work". Well, here is an idea for you. If you are permitted to have 2 pens or pencils while taking your exam, hold one in your non-writing hand, and squeeze it when you feel nervous. Really focus ALL of that nervous energy into your hand. Do that for 30 seconds and release it. Keep doing that while you work, and the nervous tension will be reduced. It really will!

Remember this: your future is bright, you will learn what you need to learn, and you can do it!

Are you at your wits' end when it comes to math homework? Has this been going on long enough? Guess what? I would love to help your child END their math frustration. So many students have had to struggle for a very long time with math. It gets intimidating. Pretty soon students look at their math homework, throw their hands up in despair and say "I can't do this" or "the teacher didn't show us how to do this" or "Math is SO stupid" or "I won't ever need this". Parents are often way beyond frustration.

Do any of these statements sound familiar? Oh, yes, I surely can help your child! I can state with certainty that no student really wants to fail or do poorly. No one wants to lose a race. I also know that parents really don't want to fight with their child. They just want their child to get busy and "take care of business".

Students who feel they can't "get it" often give up. When they have reached that point, self-esteem comes crashing down. It is heartbreaking to see your child go through this experience.

Math problems typically come from a foundation or structure problem. Every single math concept is built on and/or expands on a past concept. Difficulties with the current concept indicate a gap in past knowledge. Struggle and fight no more...let me help your student! I can help them succeed and learn. They will need math in so many aspects of life. You don't have to prove that to them. Their own success through my guidance will help them discover that for themselves. My students DO learn how to succeed! Know it! Believe it! Try it! Contact me through WyzAnt and I can help your child! End the battle for their sake and yours!

There are many reasons that teachers and tutors give for teaching. Typical reasons include the joy of seeing students learn. While this is certainly the case for me as well, an even more important reason to me was to help students see that they are WAY more capable than teachers and peers have told them. I believe that failure in school is much more complicated than "I am smart" or "I am dumb". Repeated failure and frustration convinces students that they are stupid. This belief imprisons them. I tutor and teach to empower students. Every step of the way I show them HOW to learn. We calmly discuss, back-and-forth, how to approach the problem or subject. By going through this exercise, the student begins to see proof that his/her new approach empowers them and makes excellence possible.

I see tutoring as a golden opportunity to start your own little school---and help students learn the material (of course), but learn also how to play to their own strengths even in subjects they may be weak in. You see, as little children (pre-school age) every child is curious and eager. By restoring students to this eagerness, they see that they are highly capable. It undoes some of the damage that so many schools and peers have brought on students that aren't succeeding. My students do succeed---because I show them how they have it within themselves to succeed, and arming them with strategies. I have to tell you, each time a student reaches that level, it is like launching a rocket to the moon. Thrilling, overwhelming, rewarding, and far-reaching. Oh, don't hesitate! Help people that feel like failures feel like winners. The world becomes a bit brighter with each new star, doesn't it?