I started tutoring in high school when my cousin, who is like a brother to me, was struggling to pass Algebra II and, thus, was at risk of not graduating. In college I began volunteering with students in inner city schools in urban Los Angeles. This was a great challenge because the students do not get a great amount of attention from instructors, which was not the case with my previous students. Furthermore, although the students spoke English well, I often had to discuss their aptitude, strengths, weaknesses, following up, and other information in Spanish with the parents. I learned a great deal about our education system and its inequality during those sessions. I learned that every student is different, and I learned several methods by which to attack their weaknesses and promote confidence in their abilities.
Later, after transferring to North Carolina, I began more formal education training and continued tutoring. Again, I saw students with different backgrounds and varying abilities. I taught as a student teacher at Riverside High School in Durham, NC. My class was full of seniors, only a few years younger than I, who needed to pass the class to graduate. The experience was very fulfilling and enlightening. During that time I also tutored advanced students at another high school who were within weeks of taking the SAT and applying to college.
Throughout my college career I have informally tutored many colleagues in math, science, logic, MCAT prep, and geography. My tutoring has often produced success in those subjects.
Until now, I have never been compensated for my tutoring; I have done it simply because I enjoy it. I love the feeling that I can help someone succeed, and I am good at it. I can talk to anyone and I can help anyone.
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