I had the opportunity to observe Deanne in her Year 9 Maths lesson with her student Stella. Although I do not tutor maths for more senior students, I find it important and useful to observe these lessons as they offer another perspective that I can adopt within my own tutoring. Across this hour I was left with many observations that were beneficial and useful including the importance of being a role model, balancing friendship and professional boundaries and encouraging the use of mental maths/work over calculators or computers.

At the beginning of the lesson Stella was eager to discuss her issues within her friend group at school, expressing her need for an outlet. Considering students in high school spend 5 days a week at school it is unsurprising that issues that arise from playground conflicts are so significant in their life and they seek an outside opinion. Building trust with students means they feel comfortable seeking guidance and as educators we have the responsibility to offer support while setting positive examples. Deanne offered her advice whilst demonstrating patience, fairness and empathy, impacting not just her learning, but personal growth as well.

Another challenge that became evident was managing the fine line between friendly and maintaining a tutor-student relationship. Encouraging an open and comfortable environment is key to student engagement, but it’s equally important to uphold professional boundaries. Deanne achieved this well by setting these boundaries clearly and separating time to work on their topics from time to discuss school issues. Her student was on task for the remainder of the lesson and it displayed a clear balance that ensured learning remained the top priority, without dismissing her student’s feelings.

Finally, a recurring theme was the challenge of encouraging students to rely on their mental maths rather than reaching for their calculator or relying on other technology. While technology aids in problem solving faster, it has also created a dependency which could weaken fundamental skills.

Overall, observing this lesson reinforced that education extends far beyond the curriculum. Tutors play a crucial role in shaping students’ academic abilities, personal confidence, and social development.

Natasya Ross