Alisha

Certified Tutor

Upon entering college, I tested into a basic math but was eventually able to obtain a graduate degree in a math intensive subject. The road from basic algebra to advanced mathematics was arduous but it was all made possible over a decade ago with the help of a tutor. It was through tutoring that I discovered my greatest barrier to learning mathematics: a lack of belief in myself. The myth that I did not possess a deep inborn talent required to perform math or science kept me from reaching my potential. Once I let that go, I discovered that even a belated and neglected learner, like I once was, could succeed in math. Math is a craft learned through doggedness and attention. Belief in ones own abilities can only be recognized through exposure and experience. This is what a tutor provides.

I developed a large repertoire of math skills and memory tricks while being tutored and eventually decided to pass them along as a tutor myself. I continued to use practical equations, colorful anecdotes, and methods of engaging exploration to assist students as a peer tutor until I completed my masters degree in 2006. I was then promoted to the full time Coordinator of Math and Science tutoring at my previous University, where I excelled in my duties to create and present science and math workshops, and to hire and train a team of successful math and science tutors.

I believe in successful tutoring because I am a success story.