Encouraging feedback...

It's quite a rare occurrence, but every now and again a parent will take the time to send me a simple message of thanks for my tutoring work. It makes it seem worthwhile when I know I'm making a small difference in one student's life. I have had students where the parents are very directive of me. It's very much a business transaction in their eyes. In those situations, I usually start to realise that it will be hard to make progress with their child. The tutor does need some agency. I am sometimes relieved when these clients discontinue tutoring. They often don't give a reason, but I suspect it's usually financial - they're very much about getting immediate results for their investment. You put in so much effort to help their son or daughter (sometimes hours and hours beyond what you're remunerated for), and their child never meets their unrealistic expectations. It's tough to witness.

A while ago now, I received the lovely message above from a grateful mother. One time, this parent wanted me to bill her for three hours rather than the two worked due to my preparation time, etc. (such decency is rare indeed). Of course, I didn't accept. If I was paid for every extra hour I have dedicated to teaching over the past 30 years, I would be a very wealthy woman indeed! - Mel

What are they doing now?

I've been tutoring students for quite a few years now and I still really enjoy it. Tutoring opportunities simply didn't exist in the Blue Mountains or I would have started my small business decades ago. The city of Sydney has a diverse range of parents, with different motivations for providing their children with additional academic support. Some are seeking a mentor for their child. Others are trying to boost their child's literacy and numeracy levels to improve school engagement. Still others are eager for their child build confidence and experience success at school.

I sometimes wonder what the students I have tutored are doing now. Some of my long-term clients have graduated from high school and are completing tertiary studies. From time to time, I've received lovely words of thanks, and even a bouquet of flowers from one student. After finishing his HSC, he was looking into entering a trade and beginning an apprenticeship. This is an extract from the reference I wrote him:

"[Name] is honest and sincere in his interactions with others. His good humour and easy-going personality supports his capacity to work effectively within a team. He is a mature individual with positive aspirations for his future. In the workplace, he will further develop the skills of self-initiative, problem-solving and resourcefulness. He is supported by a loving family, from whom he has developed a strong work ethic. I recommend [name] as a responsible young man who will pursue his further education and employment with determination.

Whatever my former students are doing now, I certainly hope they are happy and thriving. - Mel

What is happiness?

When we were young, most of us had dreams (most if us still do). I always had simple, fairly realistic dreams. Most of my dreams were based on feeling freedom, happiness and escaping the anguish of my home life. Since many of these dreams were achieved when I left home, I possibly stopped dreaming... it doesn't really take much for me to feel happy. I think too many of us agonise about holding onto this precious life on earth, wanting to experience every kind of perfection that the world has to offer. There is nothing wrong with this but it can be a trap. I think a person's reality is very much defined by what they think about and do on a daily basis. Too many of us are obsessed with a self-pleasing reality. I believe in living in the moment and being conscious of my contribution and interactions. I am not overly into seeking some kind of ultimate goal as I find that small personal challenges just pop up every day. It's not healthy to put all of one's eggs in the same basket - there's just too much that is out of our control in this world. I think that people in Australia sometimes don’t realise just how fortunate their lives already are. The things that they nitpick about beggar belief. Life is too short to bemoan its shortcomings; instead, I view it as an opportunity to constantly grow and evolve. - Mel

Teaching students who are 'New Arrivals'

It was a huge year in 2022, but a very rewarding one. A particular highlight was the opportunity to work with students who had recently arrived in Australia. Every session involved teaching speaking, reading and writing skills, as well as the mathematical language needed to access the Australian curriculum. All the time and effort spent making and selecting the very best resources was definitely worth it! - Mel

Love this!

A - Appreciate; B - Build something; C - Connect; D - Do what is difficult; E - Explore; F - Forgive; G - Gather; H - Honour; I - Ignore the skeptics; J - Just be; K - Know you are loved; L - Listen; M - Make; N - Nourish body and soul; O - Observe; P - Plant a seed; Q - Question; R - Read; S - Stretch; T - Try something new; U - Unplug; V - Vote; W - Wonder; X - EXpress your gratitude; Y - Say Yes to adventure; Z - Get enough Zzzzz