Reflective Essay: Tutoring Students

In this reflective essay I will provide an analysis of the counselling session I conducted and recorded. This will include a summary of the session. I will also describe the micro and advanced counselling skills utalised, as well as a critical evaluation of their effectiveness. A discussion of my application of these skills, as well as areas of possible improvement will supported by reference to relevant literature.

As a practicing teaching, it is responsibility to create and maintain a safe and supportive learning environment for students. Whilst on professional experience at a local school in Cairns, I taught a series of lessons (artefact 4) for a year 8 Health and Physical Education class. In order to effectively teach each lesson, I had to manage the classroom activities and challenging behaviours. I used the ten micro-skills for classroom management to not only manage students’ behaviour but also ensure inclusive student participation and engagement.

Writing is a practice that most of us were taught when we were young. We were taught the basics of grammar, how to form a sentence, conjunction words, how to write paragraphs and more. Although we have learned this skill while growing up and have used the skill every year after entering kindergarten, this does not mean our writing process will ensure the best work. The authors that I chose each encourage their audience to excel in the art of writing in their own way to help with the writing process.

In WPC 101 this semester I learned that I need to work on my public speaking skills. Over the course of this semester there was many assignments where I had present to the class. I learned that I need to fix common habits I do while presenting. I often say the word “like” while public speaking and I tend to lose my train of thought. Additionally I learned that my true passion is helping other people. My classmates would often ask for help on math and whenever I was able to resolve their questions I felt very proud of myself. Being able to help my peers has motivated me even more to get a degree in law because like to help small business’ defend themselves from a legal standpoint. Lastly, I learned that organization is my strongest skill. Being organized allows me to think more clearly and get tasks done more quickly.

Reflective practice engages practitioners in a continuous cycle of self-observation and self-evaluation in order to understand their own actions and the reactions they prompt in themselves and in learners (Brookfield, 1995; Thiel, 1999). Reflective practice is considered as an evolving concept which views learning as “an active process of reviewing an experience of practice in order to describe, analyse, evaluate and so inform learning about practice.” (Reid, B 1993 cited in Garfat, T. 2005).

Writing influences the way humans communicate. Good writing skills are essential in the working world and it’s important for our own self. The love for writing creative stories that engage the reader personally feels like an impossible task. After thirteen years of English I’ve realized that English does not come easy to me. It’s important to note that my writing skills have improved over the years. Going into my first year of college, I was nervous. I knew that my writing needed improvement. During my first semester of college, I was able to take the WAC 101 class. This class not only improved my writing, but it also encouraged me to start reading again. I look at reading as a task instead of a hobby, but I know that it can progress toward something that I like to do on my free time. WAC 101 is a class that helps develop a student’s writing skills. To measure the progress, outcomes in different areas of writing are reflected upon.

Anyhow, so once again due to our busy schedules which is busier this time of the year, we decided to Skype each other again, since as I have mentioned previously neither one of lives near the other. Anyhow, Shayna said she had just gotten a new Tutor gig and she is tutoring kids preparing to take the ACT. I told Shayna that I tutor as well but I do online tutoring. I also told her, I have not been tutoring this semester due to my course load but will continue tutoring in the summer as my full-time summer job. Ashely is super busy since she is preparing to move to Georgia with her husband who is in the military full-time and he is being stationed at Georgia. Ashely said she has been running around taking care of school stuff and talking to her advisors to make sure that the classes she takes in Georgia will

I totally agree with what the author is saying in the text. It takes time to get a good product out even though we think some people are deep and wonderful they still have the same struggles that we have when it comes to writing. I like this text because it is realistic it is giving an account of first drafts from common day people and shows how it is even for professional writers have problems with. This point is important because as people we sometimes feel we are not as good or capable of doing something not realizing that the people we look up to have the same problems we do. Another point that I agree with the author on is that you have to start somewhere. Many times as writers we don’t know where to start when it comes to writing. That being said we will just sit and think for ten twenty minutes when we could've just been information on the paper and then editing it later. In addition I liked that the author used examples from his professional experience when it came to writing food reviews. By him using details like how he went to the restaurant and sat down with friends and took notes of what was said. This was good to me because it helps me connect with him and the things that he does to write his reviews.

For all of my life everyone knew me as the kid who payed attention in class and evidently did the most of his learning in class.First one in, last one out was my principle and it was a philosophy I followed for the majority of my life until March 2017. The date more specifically was March 28st, this day was especially important to me because I was able to learn that I had an interest working with kids. Prior to this day, I thought I hated kids, with the exception being ones that I knew. Knowing that I would have to deal with a bunch of energetic kids for the duration of Spring Break if I chose to volunteer at a day camp, was tough to swallow and it really made me question if I truly wanted to graduate. Did I really want to spend 2 weeks

Before I came to college, I felt my writing had to follow a certain pattern and be fixated around one way of thinking. What I was fortunate to learn was quite the opposite. Writing does not have to follow any certain pattern, but can rather be structured through many different possibilities. I was also told in high school that my papers either had to agree or disagree with the given topic, even if I believed otherwise. This formulated a very one-track way of thinking when it came to my papers. Now I know that I can let my mind explore new and exciting ideas. I can agree, disagree, compliment, criticize, and question the author however my heart desires, as long as I have the evidence to back myself up. Many authors in the book, Writing About Writing, explain their processes as well as the processes of others when it comes to writing. As a writer, I can draw on my own processes and relate them to the authors, as well as use their ideas and apply them to myself. Through reading, I have learned new methods of invention, planning and revising, and incubation when it comes to writing. All ways I can use to create more meaningful and creative work.

I have made an impact at my high school in several ways through clubs, associations and volunteering work, but the one I would like to highlight is peer tutoring. Erie County, where I go to school, is having an economic downturn, as major corporations have been downsizing or leaving the county in search of better prospects and opportunities for them. The schools have faced significant budget cuts, resulting in several schools being shut down or consolidated. Peer tutoring provided growth and learning opportunities for both the students and myself, resulting in a double benefit for the school and the district, attempting to support students with limited financial and community resources. Tutoring also benefitted my peers by giving them additional

For the purpose of my reflection I have chosen to use Gibbs (1988) Model of Reflection. More commonly used in the healthcare profession I have chosen Gibbs because I find this model simple, clear and precise helping me to stay focused and make sense of my experience. Also as it includes action planning it has helped me examine my actions in a way that perhaps they can be improved. I have also chosen to reflect separately on the planning of the Team Teach and the Team Teach presentation.

This course has changed my outlook on mentoring and counseling students from being a therapist to a teacher. I have always known my struggles in middle school shape who I wanted to become as an adult; however, through this course I learn being an advocate for students needs may draw a line between being a teacher versus a counselor. As there are some lines a counselor may cross which will be unethical for a teacher. My experience of finding out why a student do what they do influence me to become overly involve in their life.

“Be a reflective teacher. Honestly look at what you do from time to time. Evaluate the purpose of your role as a teacher.” (Robert John Meenham, 2011)

When you tutor or volunteer you are doing a service for your community and for yourself.