Tutoring is a job that may seem easy on the outside but there is so much of depth and nuances to it. There are often so many stigmas and misconceptions associated with tutoring these days, especially since the way learning and educating has undergone its very own transformations.
These misconceptions about this noble profession drives passionate young tutors away from the job. All the apprehensions associated with this job is often undue and it leads loss of opportunities. Only some are endowed with the gift of being a great teacher and one needs to be truly passionate and determined to travel this path in order to shine in this field.
So, what are the misconceptions surrounding tutoring?
There Is No End To Learning
Some students think that once they earn a degree and become a tutor, there is no need to learn anymore. This is one of the biggest misconceptions, because the first and foremost important habit that a good teacher has to have is to keep learning and updating himself. A good teacher knows that there is no end to learning and that there are always new ways of teaching and new things to teach students.
Classes can be conducted in many more innovative ways and so much latest information related to the topic or subject can be shared with students. This encourages students to be more engaged during lessons and it opens up new dimensions for them to think of. Such creativity can only stem from the will to learn tirelessly.
Being Generic
Some tutors do not understand the essence of accommodating to every individual student’s specific learning needs. There is an idea that it is more than enough to know the content well and deliver it well during class. However, the depth of teaching is so much vaster than what most people believe it to be.
Having a generic teaching approach will not be effective because and each and every student is unique with their way of understanding what is being taught to them. A class would comprise of students who are fast-learners and some other students who might need the extra push to grasp concepts being taught.
A good tutor needs to be able to identify and categorise students (not based on assumptions) based on thorough observation and analysis. The appropriate steps need to be taken to then tailor to the needs of each student so that equity is achieved.
Motivation
There is a common misconception that tutors do not struggle with problems like lack of motivation, just like how students do. As much as students have difficulties with staying motivated to study, tutors also face a similar problem in teaching sometimes.
There will be moments where there is an unexplainable wave of lethargy and feeling of emptiness that hits you and there will be no strength left in you to be the bright and lively teacher that your students might want you to be.
In such moments, tutors need to know when to take a step back, and tell themselves that it is perfectly fine to feel inadequate and helpless at times. What truly matters is the effort.Former US President Barack Obama once said, “We don’t score a touchdown every time, but we move the ball forward.”, which truly reminds us that it’s the effort and determination that truly counts.