My Tutoring Experience in the Kindergarten

          When first trying to get a placement to do my tutoring, I had a frustrating experience with West Goshen Elementary, as they didn’t have any teachers that needed assistance at the end of the year.  I went to the Kindergarten as a last resort, but ended up having many valuable learning experiences through being thrown into this classroom.  This opportunity provided me with many chances to work with younger kids that I probably wouldn’t have had if it hadn’t been for this assignment, as I am a secondary education major.  By taking things as they came, though, and learning to work with younger students in a variety of subject areas, even when I didn’t know exactly what the expectations of the classroom were, I learned how to think quickly and adjust to my surroundings.

            Another aspect of helping in the Kindergarten that I really enjoyed was being able to work with a few students one-on-one.  I have never really tutored before, so being able to assist students in their math and reading was very informational and also affirming to myself as a teacher.  Granted, I was only in the classroom for two weeks, but I still felt like I was able to form relationships with some of the students toward the end of my time because of the one-on-one sessions with which I assisted. 

            Probably the greatest learning I attained from my time in the Kindergarten was the importance of a teacher (or helper) forming relationships with his or her students.  Because I didn’t have much time in the Kindergarten classroom, my teaching methods weren’t nearly as effective as those of college students who had been in the classroom all semester with the Kindergarten Practicum class and therefore formed deeper connections with the students.  I think that these younger students were very open to forming new relationships, but that they just take time to build. 

            Overall, this experience was very valuable in exposing me to an unfamiliar classroom setting and helped me to understand some of my own strengths and weaknesses in working with younger students.  After completing this tutoring, I have developed a new appreciation for tutors and have gained valuable teaching perception that will assist me in future teaching endeavors.