In this article, Megan, a tutor at teacher-assistant, delves into the significance of positive feedback.
Discovering a passion In my early schooling, my skills in English Language Arts were average. Yet, with the support of parents, teachers, and tutors who guided me through reading, I grew to adore the world of language.
This newfound love for expressing thoughts through words led me on a transformative journey: obtaining a degree in creative writing, becoming a published author, and joining teacher-assistant as an essay reviewer. Much like how my educators equipped me for academic success, I'm now fervently dedicated to passing on those tools and experiences to the upcoming generation of learners.
Cultivating expertise My journey through writing and education has been shaped by various personal and professional experiences.
Particularly impactful was my involvement in a writing critique group. This association offered me essential insights into writing, editing, and critiquing. Over almost a decade, the group has become a tight-knit circle and an invaluable source of learning. We've collaborated on numerous writing projects, refining our skills as authors, editors, and mentors to each other and aspiring writers beyond our group.
This continual exchange of knowledge and teaching became the foundation for my passion for education. It eventually led me to teacher-assistant’s Review Center, where I engage with diverse students and their written work.
Implementing learned lessons From my years of critiquing other writers, I've acquired diverse methods for giving feedback. These techniques range from posing questions, sharing personal reactions to specific lines, to offering direct suggestions for improvement. Each method has its merits, especially when guiding a writer to enhance their craft.
At teacher-assistant, tutors adhere to the teacher-assistant method, a comprehensive instructional framework designed to ensure consistent success in students' sessions. This method encourages students to critically evaluate their writing, fostering genuine and meaningful skill growth.
As an essay reviewer, the aim isn't to provide students with answers, as doing so might hinder their unique creative voice. Instead, we ask questions about content and structure and offer swift guidance on technical aspects. Our role is to highlight a student's strengths and demonstrate how these positives can elevate areas that require enhancement.
Upholding student voices teacher-assistant’s tutors and essay reviewers are committed to supporting students who entrust us with their work. Our intention isn't to critique or discourage; rather, it’s to counter the inner voice that doubts one’s abilities—a voice that often whispers, “You're not good enough or smart enough.”
Having faced criticism myself, I've grappled with demoralizing thoughts. During those moments, my writing group and fellow writers have been my mentors and allies. I aspire to provide the same support to every student who shares their words with me.
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