Besides the usual excitement I get from students when they show up for a lesson (not really…lol), probably the most common reaction they have when faced with concepts in math that don’t make sense to them is a question like this, “When am I ever going to use this?” Initially, I used to respond with something like, “Well, there are some skills you are using here that can be useful someday, such as in finances.” It never really went beyond that, and I was truly not satisfied with the answer I gave them. Now, after 10 years of hearing this, I have a more brutally honest and direct response, “Well, probably never, but you still must graduate high school. If you do take a career path that uses a lot of math, like say, a math teacher, then you will use it. However, it is more likely that you won’t, but there are still a couple of gains here:
Yep, that’s pretty much it for most people! That being said, I want to focus on the practical application of math in personal finances. Specifically, in how we budget our money. Nowadays, many schools offer a class called “Financial Algebra.” I wish that I had a class like this growing up because it would have prepared me for the real world of credit cards, budgeting, and buying a car. These are areas of our lives that we can all relate to. Had I been more educated in the world of finances, I think that I would have made better decisions. When you go into the real world after high school, you will begin to make your own financial decisions independently. Here are a few tips that can get you started on the right path:
I am not a professional financial advisor, so please don’t take this information as such. However, I believe these are basics that will lead you in the right direction. There is so much more we can talk about for each of these points, but let’s save that for another day 😊 Not all learners are created equal, so how do you become the best tutor you can be with every student you work with? I believe it comes down to your mindset. Although you must adapt to each student’s learning style, there is a universal approach you can take when working with them. If you have children of your own, then this analogy will make sense. You see, as a parent, we want the best for our kids, so we will do pretty much anything to support them. If you, as a tutor, can look at each of your students as if they were your own child, then your dedication to help them succeed gets much easier. I don't know what it is, but this seems to put you, the tutor, in a more motivated, results-oriented mindset.
Don’t have any children? Perhaps a pet? The point is that you will take more dedicated care of the people you love. I’m not saying you must love your students but seeing them as your own can create impactful changes in the way you tutor. Try experimenting with this psychology on yourself the next time you work with one of your clients. Do it for a while and notice what happens. It is my belief that you will see positive results. Here are some other quick tips on how you can become a master tutor:
There are many other tips I could give, but these are guidelines that I have used repeatedly and successfully. My hope is that they can also help you become a better educator. Maybe you’ll find something else that works for you and that’s great! As long as your student is progressing, that is all that matters. Happy Tutoring! |
AuthorRossina here welcoming you to my blog :) Have you ever met someone who actually loves mathematics? Probably not, but that's me! I have been teaching math for 10+ years in a private one-on-one setting, helping families and students all over the country achieve mathematical mastery. Here, I share tips, insight, and provide resources to help you become a math master or tutor. I truly hope you find my blog helpful. Enjoy! Archives
September 2023
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