This Week’s Journee…

This week, something happened in a session that reminded me exactly why I started tutoring.

At the start of each session, I like to give my students a quick rundown of what we’ll be working on that day. Having a routine and clear expectations helps us stay focused and builds a sense of consistency. One of my students and I have been working on reading and reading comprehension, so I laid out our plan as usual.

When I finished, she looked at me and politely asked if we could also work on some strategies to help her with testing. With school right around the corner, she wanted to feel more confident going in.

In that moment, I realized something important. I never would have known this was a struggle for her if she hadn’t spoken up. It wasn’t part of the lesson I had planned, but because she advocated for herself, I was able to adjust. For her next few sessions, I have switched up my original plans and built in test-taking strategies and even created “mock tests” so she can practice in a safe, low-pressure way.

I was so proud of her. Not only for speaking up, but for trusting me enough to share what she really needed. Every one of my students is different. They each bring unique strengths, challenges, and needs into our time together. My goal has always been to meet them where they are, be their extra support system, and equip them with the tools they need to feel confident.

When my student spoke up, I felt so many emotions. Self-advocacy is something I still struggle with as an adult, so watching her model it reminded me how powerful it can be. Honestly, a small part of my inner child felt healed in that moment.

This younger generation often gets unfair criticism, but kids like her give me so much hope. She wasn’t afraid to ask for what she needed, and that confidence will carry her far beyond school. To me, that’s the heart of AB Tutoring; helping kids find their voice, grow their confidence, and know they’re capable of more than they realize.

With gratitude,

Ashley