Tutoring or Being Tutored? by Ethan

Tutoring or Being Tutored? by Ethan - May 2018 Scholarship Essay

Working as a tutor at Pierce College in Puyallup, Washington, I see all walks of life. At 8 AM, I may tutor a single mom who is going back to school to give her daughter a richer life. At 10 AM, I may tutor a woman who is starting over on her education after dropping out of high school from bullying. At 1 PM, I may tutor a young man who is still in high school but attends college because he has passed every course that the high school offers. Though these people and countless more come from drastically different backgrounds, their goals are identical: to prosper via the power of education.

There is no goal nobler than this. To confront adversity, financial burdens, and many other hurdles to pursue education is one of the bravest things one can do. I am so honored to be able to assist all of these wonderful people as they embrace education. My main goal as a tutor is to foster academic independence; after graduating from Pierce College, these students will know both the vast number of resources available to them and how to use them to their advantage. Seeing my peers grow is the most rewarding thing I have experienced.

These scholars have taught me much more than I could ever teach them; they have taught me to always be kind, to always be your best self, to always be courageous, and to always, even if the world seems to be working against you, smile.