I was able to observe Toby’s chemistry session today. I was really impressed with the level of familiarity between Toby and the student, which set a nice tone for the rest of the session. This in turn created a very positive and collaborative work environment. The student appeared relaxed and willing to engage, which i think makes a big difference in how effectively a session can progress. It was evident that Toby had taken the time to build a genuine connection with the student and this ensured the student felt comfortable to make mistakes and ask any questions without feeling hesitant or scared.

Throughout the session, Toby demonstrated such great communication skills working with the student to ensure he explained concepts in a way that was appropriate to the students learning style and level of understanding. I particularly noticed how patient he was when the student struggled with certain concepts, guiding him step by step and breaking it down to the basics. While I’m personally not well-versed in chemistry terms, it was clear Toby broke down the concepts into a flowchart the student was able to follow and understand. This helped the student understand the content more deeply and I think if the student was confused about the topic again in the future, it would be easier to remember as Toby effectively broke it down into steps the student can follow.

Another aspect that stood out to me was Toby’s ability to keep the student engaged the session, using the student’s feedback to guide the structure of the session. He frequently checked in with the students understanding and tested him on his knowledge before offering to move onto another topic if the student felt comfortable.

Overall, observing this session was valuable for me as it highlighted th importance of building positive relationships with students and creating an environment where students are motivated to learn. I personally think establishing trust between a tutor and student is pivotal to a successful partnership, and Toby is a clear indicator of this.

Annaliese Lakis