A warm and empathetic tutor.

[icarus]

I'm a warm and empathic person. Really, I am. I'm patient and understanding, and I listen. I understand the trials and tribulations of my students, because I'm a student myself. I will advise people on short-cuts: "if you're running out of time, write on a topic you already know well." Before I advise people to re-write a 5-page paper I ask: "When is it due?"

But I have little sympathy for being conned.

Yesterday a shiny, smiling girl signed up for a little tutoring. She batted her eyelashes and radiated eager friendliness. "I need some help with my essay."

She'd received a 65.

Her english was actually pretty good. But as I read the essay... well, let's say it was pretty clear that she was inventing her facts as she went along. I told her a couple things the subject usually touched on, and recommended she do a little research on the internet. To her credit, she cut some of my grammatical checks short saying, "This won't do any good until after I re-write it."

"Yep. Bring it to me tomorrow," I said.

Today, there she was, still smiling. "You're such a great teacher, you really inspired me in the subject!"

Unh-hunh. So inspired that she just used the two things I mentioned and did no additional research.

Then she tried to pump my brain for more.

I explained that I was not a good source of material because it wasn't a subject I knew well. And recommended that she do a little research on the internet.

Rinse. Repeat.

Comments

[cordelia_v]

Mmmm. Isn't teaching fun? Students are always fun to watch/work with; there's such variety.

There are always a couple of students (and children) who try to see what they can get away with. If you draw a clear, firm line---and make your minimum standards/expectations crystal clear---then they will usually live up to your standards. They'll give a weak smile, as if to say, "can't blame me for trying, you know." And then they do the work; at least, they do for me. I know how to intimidate a bit, however.

But it's been years since I took it personally. If she'll try this with you, Icarus, she's trying it on for size with everyone. You did her a favor, by teaching her that it doesn't always work.

[kijikun.livejournal.com]

Oi. I hate those. Like research would kill them.

[jaig.livejournal.com]

That's a bit hopeful of her.

[fpb.livejournal.com]

You're lucky she did not try the usual short cut and try to take you to bed. A lot of girls are convinced that this will get them top marks.

[aigooism.livejournal.com]

Damn... people like that stinks.