Philosophy of Education for Tutors

by Yvonna Graham

Learning is fun. Humans love to master new skills. An unhappy student means the educational environment (that means us) needs to change. Mumbling Marmot tutors focus on delight-directed learning. We use the student's interests as the starting point to build solid math and language skills. The power of one-on-one instruction can turn discouragement into confidence!

Fitting the instruction to the student
People learn at different rates. Furthermore, “early” or “late” development does not correlate to IQ or eventual success except in the most extreme cases. In fact, gifted children may move slowly through early stages and need time to savor and practice each new skill. Learning differences such as ADD, ADHD, dyslexia, dysgraphia, and dyscalculia simply signal the need for information to be presented in different ways. Unusual brain structure found in cases of traumatic brain injury or autism require a tutor who searches out new ways to teach and consults the research that abounds in these fields.

Building character
Good tutoring models responsibility, kindness, self-confidence, and honesty.

Providing a safe place
Learning begins after the student’s crucial needs of safety and belonging are met.

Finding giftedness
Good education addresses all seven areas of intelligence, so each student’s gifts are recognized. The seven intelligences are logical/mathematical, visual/spatial, body/kinesthetic, musical/rhythmic, interpersonal, intrapersonal, and verbal/linguistic. Obviously, the last one dominates most Western educational systems. We shortchange the student if we disregard the other six.