I work and continue to work as a tutor. I’ve seen all the horror stories from the other end, the student.
Especially when the student enrolls at the local college and finds that her studies put her about 2 years behind where she should be.
Nothing surprises me anymore. At least with tutoring, if the student isn’t doing well, then you don’t get paid.
I loved the challenge of crafting lesson plans just to see what was possible. The student who was 2 years behind took 4 months of steady work to catch up. In a month she managed to pass (albeit barely), her exam, and within the 4, was earning a high B in her new courses.
I still believe she could have consistantly earned A’s, but the gap between 1 and 2 standard deviations is hard to overcome. I smiled when she told me after all our work that she was earning good grades without having to put as much effort into it. I told her that’s really my ultimate goal, making you more effective as a student.
In the end some hospital will thank me for saving a nursing student, and that makes it all worthwhile.
My sister had the same attitude, she was constantly tweaking and improving. Said she loved the moment when a student's face would light up because he finally got it.
You sound like a natural, and your attitude and effort are commendable. In a merit-based system, there's no doubt you'd be rewarded for your efforts.
At least with tutoring, if the student isn’t doing well, then you don’t get paid.
Precisely, the ultimate merit-based teaching method. ;-)