I'm an older fella, having spent over 30 years in the banking industry. But in my present life as a professional tutor, I work closely with young people (mostly elementary and middle school students) to overcome academic and learning difficulties, and experience with them the satisfaction of good results.
My inspiration as a tutor is my young daughter (born 2010), who has dealt with some serious challenges, and, until recently, has been home schooled. She's now doing very well and giving me and my wife much joy! Our experience with her has taught us so much about fighting, overcoming, and winning--not to mention persistence, dedication, and discipline. As a tutor, I've been able to translate this experience at home to other students in the LA area--from those who simply have trouble paying attention in class, to those struggling with particular academic subjects, and to those diagnosed with specific problems, such as dyslexia.
I've come to learn some important things about tutoring; that:
* Effective tutoring is usually as much about mentoring as it is about teaching.
* There should be no limits to the creativity that the tutor is prepared to bring to the table in helping a struggling young student (moving beyond the presentation of black letters or numbers on a white page).
* In addition to solidifying basic skills, it's critically important to build up a student's creativity, confidence, and resilience, in moving toward the ultimate goals of enhancing the student's capacity for original thinking and independent learning.
* Above all, patience is the greatest virtue.
I look forward to the opportunity to work closely with my students at Varsity Tutors and help them to reach their fullest potential.
