Building A Strong Foundation
Many people ask me what I do for a living. “Well,” I explain, “I’m a private tutor.” “A tutor?” they respond. “So, are you like a teacher?” That is where the conversation starts and from there it is endless. I can go on for hours about my experiences in the tutoring field. The first question I answer is “Are you like a teacher?” to that I reply, “Yes, but a private teacher.” I do not hold teaching credentials or a state test that certifies me as an instructor, but what I do hold are the tools to help any willing student learn the subject matter more in depth, complete assignments, and improve test scores. “Willing” is the key word here. If a student, regardless of the environment, situation or inability, is willing to do what it takes, I believe that I possess the answers. Many parents struggle day-to-day with getting their students to complete homework assignments, study for upcoming tests and juggle extra-curricular activities. School has become increasingly competitive and the norm has become what we would have considered the “Suma Cum Laude” of last decade. We used to ask, “What does it take for a student to get into a four-year university these days? The question is now, “What don’t you have to do to get into a four-year university these days?” In my experience working closely with students of all ages and abilities, the one thing I have noticed is that the expectations of the school system have soared far beyond the comfort of the parents helping with homework. It has now created a situation where unless your student is a self-starting, over-achiever, you may be thinking… Where can I go for help? Being a parent is hard enough when dealing with the day-to-day home situation, but adding into the mix weekend homework and research papers does not leave much time for family bonding. That is what I love about my job. I have had the pleasure of stepping into numerous situations where the parents are able to work along with me, as the tutor, to ensure that their children are not only keeping their grades up; they are learning to care beyond the current subject matter and think about their future. Many of my “pre-algebra” kids struggle with the repetitiveness of the long division or multiplication of large numbers, but if I can get them to focus on the big picture they feel more at ease. A word of advice for those of you that may find yourselves in this very situation… We learn pre-algebra because it is the building blocks on which all other math relies upon. If we don’t have a strong foundation, the house will eventually crumble.
Written by: Lauren Fierro
October 15th, 2010 - Posted in Fequently Asked Questions, Learning, Making Learning Fun, Our Program, Self Help, Teaching, The School System, Tutoring | | 0 Comments
Does Your Child Need Help With His Homework?
Are you struggling nightly with your child as he is trying to complete his homework? Do you need help motivating him to get the job done? A private tutor can help. Many times a person outside of the family can be just what a child needs in order to get down to business. Many tutors have years of experience working with students to motivate and inspire them to approach homework with a positive attitude. Children build relationships with their tutors that can influence the way that they see subjects that they once despised. I have worked as a private mathematics tutor for over 7 years and have seen the light go on in many students eyes. On several occasions, I tutored students with math phobias. After working together, many will say that math is their favorite subject. Expanding Abilities Tutoring offers one on one tutoring in the comfort of your own home. Our tutors are experienced in working with families throughout the South Bay of Los Angeles. Please call for more information on how to stop the nightly homework struggle. I will be happy to offer my advice and/or recommend a tutor!-Melissa Haueter
April 28th, 2010 - Posted in Making Learning Fun, Our Program, Tutoring | | 0 Comments
Seeking High School Chemistry Tutor
Expanding Abilities Tutoring is always on the look out for new talented tutors. We are currently looking for a Chemistry tutor to join our team. This person should have experience teaching and tutoring Chemistry as well as a Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry or a related field. Applicants must also live and/or work in the South Bay area of Los Angeles. Please send your resume to Melissa@expandingabilities.com.
April 26th, 2010 - Posted in Making Learning Fun | | 0 Comments
What are the Math Olympiads?
The Math Olympiads were created in 1977 by Dr. George Lenchner, well-known math educator. Students all over the world participate in the Olympiads. Teams are set up with 35 students or less at your elementary or middle school. From November to March of each year, there are 5 contests per month. Contests are set up for students in grade 4 through 6 and 7 through 8. These contests provide students with an incentive to study math. The challenging practice and contest problems require critical thinking and analysis. Students apply skills they learn in the classroom and solve problems they have never seen before.
July 16th, 2008 - Posted in Fequently Asked Questions, Learning, Making Learning Fun | | 1 Comments
How to get the most out of tutoring
Be physically and mentally prepared for your tutoring session. Make mistakes so we can learn from them! It is through trial and error that we make progress. Tell your tutor when you don’t understand something and ask questions regularly. We ask you to be patient with us as we try different methods and discover what works best for you. We expect you to put in as much time and effort outside of tutoring as is required to meet your goals. Practice what we recommend.
June 11th, 2008 - Posted in Making Learning Fun | | 0 Comments
