I am a 24 year old University of Canterbury student looking for work tutoring gifted children. I have two degrees - a B.A in Philosophy and Sociology and a B.Com in Economics both with excellent grades - and plan on continuing my studies in Economics to Ph.D level.
As someone who felt extremely bored throughout school, I am keenly aware of the need smart kids have for genuine intellectual stimulation. I don't wish to tutor for exam success, but would like to help students explore more substantial issues with conversation and the suggestion and provision of interesting books and essays. I have very wide intellectual interests including psychology, art, history, politics, science, technology and culture.
I have no formal tutoring experience but often help friends with university work and have good communication skills. I am excellent at explaining complex economic models in intuitive, non-mathematical terms. Above all, I am intellectually curious and would like to show others the excitement of learning without the mandated medicocrity of our education system.
Please email me at bradrtaylor (at) gmail (dot) com or call me on 021 234 8571 if you are interested. I would be happy to come and meet the student anywhere in Christchurch without obligation to discuss the options. Pay could be negotiated, but I would expect around $15-$20 per hour. I would prefer students at the high school level, but would tutor very bright primary students also.
Am I the only parent with alarm bells going off in response to some guy with no formal tutoring experience offering himself out as a tutor to high school and primary aged students? Happy to meet the student anywhere in chch?
Helllloooo...
Maybe I'm jaded but I am suspicious of a University student who prefers to tutor brainy younger kids rather than offerring his services at University to others his own age- there are plenty of Uni students who could use help.
I hope I'm just an over protectivfe mum.
Margi
Re: ALARM BELLS re: Humanities and Social Science Tutoring in Christchurch
Author: SJW
Date: 17-08-07 10:10
Hi, Margie.
I can see how this might raise alarm bells, though it does provide an avenue for parents to further explore and hopefully those who did would be very careful. It's often hard for parents of GT kids to find suitable advanced experiences and tuition for their kids, so I would hate to drive away well-intentioned and qualified people from letting us know of available services. Had you noted that the original posts date from 2006?
re: Humanities and Social Science Tutoring in Christchurch
Author: Annette
Date: 19-08-07 11:52
I think this is a fantastic offer and should be taken in the spirit it was meant. Hopefully he did get some contacts from last year.
I have known many pupils including one Christchurch Explorers child gain enormous benefits from exactly this type of person who really understands the gifted child from having been one themselves.
It is this sort of thought pattern, while obviously well intentioned, that has meant that young men don't go primary school teaching and many other similar professions and we have lost a lot of our male role models.
However I think with anyone you are taking your children to you are cautious to assess the person before you leave them and watch your child's responses carefully etc. This applies to everyone even those with children. When a scout leader in my daughters scout troop was found with inappropriate photos of children etc it was surprising that he was a father of 3!!
re: Humanities and Social Science Tutoring in Christchurch
Author: George
Date: 19-08-07 13:55
Why do people like Margi above jump to such warped judgement with no evidence. It is just paranoia. Many years ago when I was at university I tutored some kids while still at school as I enjoyed tutoring, needed the money and tutoring is one hell of a lot better than working in a factory. Margi, what Brad meant by 'meet the student anywhere in Christchurch' is that he is prepared to travel and possibly has a car. It does not mean that he wants to meet the student alone down some seedy back street. Also Margi, Brad may also be offering tutoring to university students, but obviously this forum is addressed to primary and secondary school kids and their parents. Also Brad has just completed to bachelor level and may not feel qualified to teach students who are only a year or two behind him. I felt that Brad expressed himself clearly and people like Margi need to break away from their one track mind. Off course there is a remote possibly that Margi may be right, but that suspicion needs to be applied to everyone, including the father of three who lives five doors down the street!
I, like George, felt there was no need to jump to conclusions. We all read to much in the media and are very quick to jump in.
I felt that Brad explained his situation very well and thought the 'meet the child anywhere in CHCH' , only meant he could travel.
Come on, lets not get carried away, a wonderful opportunity for a child to have an understanding tutor. As most good parents would do- check out the tutor and be sure you are happy.
I am always very careful and there was no way i felt unhappy reading Brad's intro'.
Infact when i read Margi's thoughts - i thought 'how sad', don't jump to conclusions.
