Jessica Du

Hi, my name is Jessica Du and I am currently in grade 12. The class in which I am peer tutoring for is careers with Mr. Easey. This is a very small sheltered careers class, holding only ten students. Although the class does not contain many students, there are many things to be done. All the students in the class have many difficulties speaking, writing and reading English. My roles in the class include taking attendance, marking their portfolios and many of their assignments, teaching short lessons, sitting one on one with each student to help them catch up or peer edit their work, and most importantly circulating the class to help answer any questions asked.
I really enjoy being a peer tutor for this class because there is always someone who is in need for help due to their difficulties with the English language. When they get the answer to the problem they are solving or when they are being praised, they are always positive, and always ecstatic.
There are not many activities that I can initiate due to the small class and their ability to complete a task in a given period of time. But I have created and taught small problem solving activities and communication games to the class, which turned out really great. It is nearing the end of the course and it soon time for them to switch over to civics. So the class is very busy and extra assignments/activities given to them would not be manageable for them, but I do plan on creating a small fun game or activity for the students before the course ends.
Peer tutoring for this class/peer tutoring in general has been a big eye opener for me. When helping the students get through their frustrations, it brings out a good and confident feeling in me. I feel like I have done many things for each student to help them understand and further their knowledge. It made me consider going to school to be a teacher in the future, because I really enjoy helping and teaching the students. Peer tutoring is a great experience and I cannot wait for the students taking civics switching over to careers to come.