"One Parent’s Testimonial: How Tutoring Transformed the Academic Journeys of My Three Children"

 

Tutoristic; we refer to her as auntie Pauline in my household. Firstly, it is important to give a background of how far my children have come with auntie Pauline. 

 

As a family, we have engaged with her services for several years. We began with my son who is now 18 years old. I believe it maybe just over 8 years ago. Then, my son had learning difficulties (Autism). But l am one of the parents who believes in pushing the child to their full potential. Also, my son was and has always been in the mainstream education. So, l knew that his exams will be just like anyone else’s. He may have been treated differently in the school environment; excluding him from certain lessons because of his diagnosis. 

 

But l realised earlier on that the examinations papers are never tailored to suit anyone with learning difficulties, no matter the amount of evidence available. Therefore, l made the decision to engage in private tutoring. I realised it is now or never. I always explained to my son that the world will not treat you differently when you are older, rather, learn to ensure that you fit in and become the person that you would like to be. 

 

I approached auntie Pauline following the referral from another parent. I explained my son’s learning needs and emphasised on the importance of him being taught equally as anyone else. For sure, auntie Pauline did exactly that, although it became evident that his understanding was slower than other children, she taught who were the same age and class as my son. But auntie Pauline never gave up on believing that my son would understand. 

 

Also, auntie Pauline really liked my son’s commitment and focus to learning. He never gave up even when he did not know/understand what to do. He always delivered whether right or wrong. Secondly, my son was and continuous to be extremely polite young man to date. Every school he has ever attended informed me that if only every child was as good as my son, then it would make their job easier. 

 

To conclude, my son passed his GCSE Maths and English. Truly, for someone with learning difficulties to pass the above 2 subjects is not something to be taken for granted. Even children without learning disabilities do struggle to pass them both. But guess what, my son went through! God is truly a living God! I was so scared as could not imagine supposed things turned the other way. 

 

Over the years, auntie Pauline taught 2 more kids including the final 10-year-old son again. What else can l say. To start with, my last child did not have learning challenges like the first one. I think he may have been a pleasure to teach for auntie Pauline. He never had any issues in terms of information retention, but, both l and auntie Pauline were constantly reminding him to focus and complete the given homework. 

 

For those who does not the type of tutor auntie Pauline is, she is a perfectionist. She expects the best from her pupils’ and nothing less. Indeed, she is a great explainer l got to acknowledge, the fact that she made my first son understand the techniques/methods of writing. That alone remains to be a testimony. Although my son had/has the ability understand, retain and digest the information or learning, children will always be children. Auntie Pauline worked tirelessly with him to ensure he would be able recall the right ways of answering the questions. 

 

Auntie Pauline would repeat on several occasions the importance of him reading the instructions! My son thought like a child, and auntie Pauline taught him how to address questions based on the instructions given. 

All in all, my son passed both his Medway and Kent 11+. I am well pleased in him and to auntie Pauline for all the hard work she has done for my children. 

 

The other trait auntie has is that of flexibility. She has been able to deal with family dynamics throughout these years. They were times when as parents, you are expected to support your child. But due to busy work schedules, nothing was being done from the parent/s. And auntie Paulie remained professional and polite. She never made me feel less because of my inability to support my children complete some tasks. The tasks did not require me to write, but just reminding or purchasing a book etc. But l would completely forget. 

 

The problem is that auntie Pauline is too organised. But guess what, her organisational skills have taught my children to work independently and produce better work! I would like to think that this is every parent’s dream. To teach your child how to fish, rather than fish for them! 

 

Well auntie, thank you so much for all the knowledge you have impacted on my children. I will always be grateful. Also, my children still remember your quality teaching style. This has shaped the way they continue to complete their assignments/homework. Continue to do the things that you do. It may not look like you are making the difference, but believe me auntie, you do! 

 

Kind regards 

Stacey.