|
|
STEP 10 - DIVERSITY |
|
When tutoring, you will find yourself with many tutees
who are different from
you. Someone may have a learning disability. Another person may
be of a different race,
religion, age group, or gender. What if a person is not as intelligent as
you or maybe not as wealthy as you? What effect does this have on your tutoring
sessions? Below are areas to consider and ways to overcome your
differences. |
|
Avoid Stereotyping |
Consciously
refrain from stereotyping or generalizing groups of people.
- For instance, you have
probably heard someone say, "All ____ are alike: ___!"
- Perhaps you have heard
someone say, "All _____look alike."
- Anyone can fill in that
blank with anyone he/she does not like.
- What if someone
said, "All tutors are alike: ____!"
- What if someone
said, "All tutors look alike."
- Is either statement
true? No.
- Each tutor is an
individual.
- Each tutor has different facial and
body features.
- Each tutor has
different thoughts, hobbies, and talents.
- Each person is a separate entity - even
twins. As a tutor, you must allow each person his/her own dignity
as a human being.
- Stereotyping is a form
of bias that limits a person's growth as a well-rounded individual.
- Stereotyping
prevents being able to keep an open mind
- Stereotyping
prevents being able to think critically.
- Stereotyping
prevents being able to tutor well.
When a person uses
stereotyping, he lowers his own measure, not that of someone else. |
|
Find Similarities |
What do you have in common?
Finding the answer/s will help both of you become comfortable with each
other. Establishing a comfort zone will allow trust to soon
follow, in turn allowing your tutoring session to flow more smoothly.
- Do you share a hobby?
- Do you look so similar you could be
twins? Same hair color and style, same clothes?
- Did you go to the same
high school?
- Do you both like UK sports?
- Are you majoring in the same area/s?
- Do both of you like the same type of
jewelry?
- Do you like the same music?
- Do you drive the same type of car?
- Do you both play sports?
|
|
Respect Differences |
People have the
right to have opinions different from your own.
- If everyone thought alike, the world
would become stagnant.
- We would have no new ideas, new
inventions, new art, or new music.
- Life would be boring.
Your thoughts, likes and
dislikes, opinions, and ideas are part of you. When someone makes
fun of them or in any other way indicates that your ideas are worthless,
you feel as if that person has personally attacked you, and not the
ideas. Each person deserves the respect of individuality. |
|
Be Patient |
- Be patient. Next
to tutoring area knowledge, patience is the most important virtue for a
tutor. Practicing patience allows a person to overlook a lot
|
|
Be Professional |
Regardless of what you believe
and what your tutee believes, what you possess versus your tutee or vice
versa, what you look like as opposed to your tutee, you both deserve
respect.
- Be polite
- Remain calm
- Remain objective
|
|
