Now I Understand My Parents by Coleman

Now I Understand My Parents by Coleman - October 2016 Scholarship Essay

Being the child of two educators, I've always gone against the grain of wanting to be a teacher. I hear their stories and know they love what they do, but, as with a lot of kids, I want to break out of the box of what my parents do. It wasn't until this year, my senior year, that I can imagine the role reversed. No doubt, I can easily see myself on "the other side" - and actually liking it. You see, it all started when I was approached by the mother of a struggling student who wanted me to help tutor her kid who's a couple of grades under me. He hasn't always had trouble with math, but the past couple of years have been a challenge. I was an easy pick because my senior schedule isn't crazy, my grades are good, and my dad was the AP Calculus teacher for several years - and maybe she thought I brought that as back-up. Honestly, math has always been a favorite subject which is why it would be my choice if I had to reverse roles.

At first, I was doing it as a favor and to make some extra money, but then I began to find myself fully engaged, meeting with his teacher, following up on sessions, and anxiously awaiting his scores from quizzes and tests. I'm "all in," which, I have found, encourages him to be "all in." His average in the class has imporved a full grade. I have found the magic that my parents already know - teaching isn't just about the content. It's about building trust with your student. It's about figuring out how to relate the material to their lives. It's about investing both time and talent. And, most importantly, it's about forming reationships and making connections. Math's always come pretty easy to me - thanks to good math genes from my dad! I'm confident in saying that if the role was reversed and I was the teacher, not the student, I would welcome the opportunity, saying, "Bring it on!"