Tutoring, as it’s defined by Oxford Languages, is a form of teaching usually conducted with a singular student or a small group. At the high school level, it’s typically used for students who need extra help doing or understanding work before and after school. Due to the influx of tests as the school year ends, tutoring has exploded at FHS, but is the extra work time worth the effort?
Alex Kennon is a Junior at Farmington High School who runs his own tutoring business on Instagram, he describes the tutoring process.
“It’s best if they kind of know what they want me to help them with. Usually, they’ll come to me and show it, and I’ll be like, “Oh, okay, here, let me try and break it down for you,” and I’ll teach it. I’ll go at new angles if they don’t understand it the first time,” Kennon said. “I’ll really try and learn their learning style in order to help them learn it the best they can, and make it easier for me to teach them.”
Alex says high school tutoring is great for a variety of students.
“Let’s say you’re a B average student, and you just want that little bump to an A. I can probably teach you a couple things that will help you get up there. But then also, if, say, you’re a struggling student who struggles to turn in their assignments, I can help you focus on finishing those assignments and pushing those through, and then help you understand the material at the same time,” said Kennon. So you can definitely benefit whether you’re already ahead or if you’re behind.”
Alex explains how tutoring is often times the superior learning method for students.
“I’m very personal with how I teach,” said Kennon. “I feel like I’m very good at breaking things down and explaining them to people. It’s not as intimidating, it’s different going to a teacher sometimes and asking them for help, because they’re just so used to teaching many people and it’s hard sometimes to get that personal connection, whereas I really try and connect with my client in order to teach them the best that I can. And sometimes it’s just a lot more relaxing to be taught by a peer or someone that you kind of just know from school.”
Amy Martin is an ELA 2 teacher, Academic Lab Teacher, and the head of the English Department. She explains how tutoring is great for students who might be more introverted.
“I have had a student in the past who was sick for several weeks and just got really far behind. This was also a student who was very quiet and did not like to draw attention to themselves,” Martin said. “She came in three times after school, so to make up for two weeks’ worth of work in three after school sessions, it’s not a bad deal.”
There is only one full week of school left, so make sure to check with your teachers and Alex Kennon for tutoring before the last of your finals!
