It's not about suffering through dusty books and writing a decent thesis. It's about learning how to take the words off of the page and make them relevant and real. This stuff's supposed to be fun.
I currently work as an intervention specialist a public high school, basically working as a tutor for students who need help being students. My students and I analyze their study habits as well as their academic strengths and weaknesses and approach their schoolwork in a way that makes sense for them. That might mean establishing an organizational system, and it might mean scheduling distraction-free study hours. Sometimes it also means I get to brush up on my algebra. And with a Master's and a Bachelor's in English, I am always there for help with Language Arts.
While I was in Iowa working on my Master's, I taught creative writing classes, emphasizing my students' participation in class discussion. They grew more comfortable thinking on their feet, which meant they grew more comfortable overcoming any uncertainties in their own writing. And I learned how to communicate with everyone from English majors to accounting students. I am currently a paraprofessional at a public high school, working with at-risk students on reading, literacy, and critical thinking skills. I work with English language learners, students with learning disabilities, and students who just need a little time to catch up.
Before jumping into the academic side of things, I talk with students to know who they are, what they're interested in, and how they learn, and then I address that learning style and expand upon it.
I'd love to hear from you!
-Meagan.
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