Currently I teach high school students learning English. My students are from all over the world and often know more than two languages. So English is a third language for them. Having experienced life within two cultures, I am well-positioned to effectively instruct students from diverse backgrounds.
Some of my students have been compelled to reside in refugee camps, others have faced interruptions in their education, and some have fled violence in their home countries. Most of my students are supremely grateful to have the opportunity to live and learn in the United States. They are highly motivated to excel academically. This value is instilled by their parents.
Teaching is more than a job to me. I love teaching and making a difference in the lives of children. I have been a teacher for the past 17 years. I believe that children all have the capability to learn, but not all children learn the same way. Some children will pick up the lessons with ease, while others have more of a struggle. I think that every child would benefit from some extra attention in order to do better academically.
That is where tutoring is beneficial. Identifying students' academic challenges requires understanding each individual. Parents know where their children are struggling. Talking with parents is key to identifying a child's academic challenges.
If someone has had no difficulty learning to read or do math, they often don't understand why the students are having problems learning. Reading is a far more complex process than is generally understood. Studies have shown that if a child has not learned to read fluently by third grade, there will be an impact on future literacy.
Children need to understand the following before they can read:
Children also need to develop reading readiness. Parents are essential in this process. Reading to your child is one of the most important things you can do to get your child ready to learn and ready to read. Young children need to see parents reading so they understand that the letters form words and the words on the page have meaning.
We see toddlers pretend to read and hold books. They learn that we read from left to right. Reading to children fosters creativity and sparks the imagination. They learn that magical stories, new worlds, and grand adventures can be found in the pages of a book.
The presence of books in the home also has an impact on future literacy. Children who see parents reading books in the home grow up to be readers. Developing and nurturing a love of reading can be one of the greatest gifts one can give a child.
Children who struggle with learning to recognize letters and words may also develop low self-esteem. I have seen children in first grade who tell me they are no good at reading or math. This is where extra attention can make all the difference. I believe that a child will develop greater self-confidence and resilience if given the right kind of help.