Thanks for joining me! Today we start the website and the blog. But how exactly did I get into tutoring? Well, here is a little about me.
I was born and raised in the Muirhouse in Edinburgh back in the 1980’s. Have you seen Trainspotting? Well that is where I am from. It isn’t a bad thing though, it taught me the grit and determination I have needed to succeed in whatever I have put my hand to.
My parents valued education, indeed my father was a teacher, yet I left school at 16 years old. I was not, and to this day am not an academic. However, in my early 20’s I gave up a job in a law firm to go to college and then onto the University of Edinburgh to study primary teaching. I am now back at the University of Edinburgh, this time studying a Masters in Learning for Sustainability. It was daunting to go back to uni when I am no academic, a Masters degree is for learned people, no? However, I recently met a lecturer called Dr Sam Harrison who has completed his doctorate, runs a great sustainability residential project up north and was quite frank in saying he is no academic (though he really knows his stuff). He is the first person who made me think maybe this wee lass from Muirhouse might just find her way through academia!
But back to the matter at hand, how I ended up a tutor. My studies taught me that it is essential that learning is engaging and meaningful. Indeed, my best grades at university have been those where could see a meaningful reason to study and take enjoyment in doing so. The subjects I struggled with were those that were dull, where I was expected to learn facts and figures but could not see how they might relate to real life. As a teacher (I am currently teaching a wonderful primary 6 class on a Wednesday) and now as a tutor, I keep that in mind. With over ten years experience I still hold true to the philosophy that learning must be real, meaningful and most importantly, fun!
To me, tutoring gives me the best parts of teaching. I get to work closely with children and their families to help them progress. I get to challenge them and help them achieve things they never felt possible. The children themselves are inspirational and it is a wholly rewarding job. The biggest compliment I get is when parent’s say the confidence their child is developing eclipses that of the single curricular area and carries over into their entire lives. Children seem happier, more confident and are willing to challenge themselves.
Good company in a journey makes the way seem shorter. — Izaak Walton
