Biology Peer Tutoring Reflection

My last post for this activity was a while ago, and I apologize profusely for the delay in the reflection, but I was under the assumption that this activity would resume in May or June after I had finished spring sports. However, I spoke with Ms. Kallio today and she informed me that this would not be the case. So here is the long-awaited reflection:

Biology Peer Tutoring was a great new activity for me. I had never tutored before, but because I was successful in biology, I felt that it was right to participate in this CAS opportunity. My main goal for this activity was to be able to effectively teach biology to struggling students. I didn't just want to tell them the answers to something, but explain it as well. I also wanted to improve my skills as an instructor as well as my skills in listening and responding to the problems people have.

I was a bit timid at first in the undertaking of Biology Peer Tutoring, due to my inexperience, but I soon found that it would be a great activity for me. I had an incredible experience learning how to be an effective instructor, while at the same time learning material that was essential for my performance in class. My timidity disappeared and I became confident in my ability to explain the subject to others, even though I wasn't necessarily a master in the specific area of study.

This activity also met five of the eight outcomes, so not only was it good for my confidence as a tutor and as a biology student, but it was a fantastic CAS activity. Without any guidance, I developed new skills in instruction, which were essential to be able to connect with my student and fulfill my duties as a tutor. This was a great challenge for me to undertake because I really had no idea what I was doing or what to expect. No matter, I was able to be successful in my responsibilities, and these new skills can also serve me in the future if I decide to pursue the teaching profession. As I expanded these skills, I became more and more confident in my abilities and recognized my strength as a tutor as something that could be applied to others beyond the biology students. I even helped out tutoring math students and anyone else who came to Ms. Kallio's room for help. I got the opportunity as well to work with other biology peer tutors to figure out difficult problems, and could also develop a symbiotic relationship with my student that would allow for collaboration to solve a difficult enigma.

While doing this activity, I became aware of some of my weaknesses as well. Sometimes I act a bit haughty and arrogant, which can be threatening to the students. I recognized that I couldn't come across as a frustrated know-it-all, because students would be intimidated and not learn well. There were other areas in which I was forced to consider the ethical implications of actions like these. I am talkative as well, and I was once accused of being too focused on social life in the tutoring room instead of instructing the student. Needless to say, I evaluated my garrulous self and decided that my babblings could wait until after the tutoring session, so that the student might learn most productively.

Ultimately, I met the goals I delineated. I became an effective tutor with efficient methods, and developed a symbiotic relationship with my students. It was great to do service for kids in my school, and I felt satisfied knowing that my aptitude for biology could translate to better test scores not only for myself, but for fellow Sturgians.