Mathletes

People often ask me what types of students I have in my private tutoring practice. Most folks assume that I work primarily with children who need remediation. The truth is that I mostly work with children who are in the top of their class. When I tell people this they are genuinely surprised. Then I go on to explain my theory based on the following incident:

I had a perfect tutoring moment today - watching a child get the "A-ha" look and a sense of mastery. I turned to the student's younger brother and said, "It's like Olympic swimming. We are shaving seconds off the time it takes for him to do these problems. He won't have to work so hard to get the answers." The student has gained some insight into the nature of what he is solving, and I get to witness the discovery.

I see myself like an Olympic coach. When an athlete is competing at the upper levels, he or she needs a coach to encourage and foster excellence. Top students benefit from one on one tutoring in similar ways. A tutor can point out habits both physical and mental that hinder a student from performing at his or her peak level.

Many students who are high achievers are busy outside of the classroom. Some are involved in sports year round, others are musicians or dancers. Children who are busy with other activities need to work more efficiently. Tutoring can help students see their particular foibles more quickly. Classroom teachers do not have the luxury of working one on one with students to address individual needs.

Innate ability can be honed to a finer degree. Strengths can be identified, and weak areas can be overcome or worked around. Most students benefit from personalized strategies as much as from the extra practice they receive.

Among my students there is no shame attached to being tutored. This benefits all types of students. The ones who come for remediation see the advanced students coming in for help which helps to alleviate some of the possible labeling that might occur on their part or on the part of others. I point out to all of my students the similarities in the mistakes that I identify. They work to their ability and strive to attain their own personal best.