Week 2: The return of SNACKTIME!!!!

Before the tutors and tutees hit the books each day, everyone gets together to enjoy snack time! Whether they are munching down on some oranges or bartering for the treasured bag of Cheetos, all the kids take this time to unwind, chat with the tutors (usually teasing us about UNC's recent triumphs or Duke's slide in the rankings), play some hop scotch, or gossip about their new crushes! Besides laughing hysterically at all the kids' antics, I usually try to take this time to check up on Dereese's social life and just be a good friend. From our heart to hearts, I have concluded that most of Dereese's struggles in school are more a problem of being misunderstood by his teachers or having low, even non-existent, expectations rather than a difficulty understanding subject matter. I have learned that tutoring is about so much more than integers and probabilities, it is about truly caring about a child with unlimited potential. My experiences have shown me that the kids benefit most when they trust their tutee, when they know that the tutee will always be there to listen. Whether it is a listening ear when the kids talk about their home lives or some experienced advice regarding their newest crush, tutors can help their tutees in ways far beyond dictating multiplication tables and grammar lessons.