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About Me
My Tutoring for You is run by myself, Zara, whose mission is to help children aged 5-11 who are below age-related expectations in reading, writing and maths and who are feeling frustrated and overwhelmed in class by equipping them with the tools and strategies needed such as problem-solving to become confident and enthusiastic learners who make the progress they are capable of.
Studied at University of Brighton
Qualified in 2013
Tutoring full-time since July 2019
My Story
Before I share my story, I wanted to say thank you for taking the time to care about your child's education.
One of the most important things for me is that, as you make a big decision, you are confident in who you are trusting to tutor your child. So, I wanted to help you get to know me more.
One thing you may realise is that I ONLY help those who are struggling. That's because my life experiences have shaped and moulded me to want to make sure EVERY child is able to reach their full potential. I never want children to feel like I did as a child!
Growing up was extremely difficult for me. I had things going on at home and I had a tough time at school. I found school so difficult. Things didn't come easy for me. In fact, my teachers agreed, because in Year 6, my teacher at the time told me that I'd never make anything of myself.
Secondary school was so much better for me - I had teachers who invested in me. Who didn't give up on me. The trouble is - the damage was already done because even today I struggle with the self-belief that I'm not good enough.
My anxiety was so bad at primary school that I'd fake being ill not to go to school. I'd need to go to the toilet all the time. I'd hate speaking up, I'd try and cheat in tests because I'd panic and didn't know anything - or so I believed. I spent my primary days crippled by fear
I've realised how much confidence can make or break a child's education. You could have given me worksheet after worksheet and I'd have been so overwhelmed. I'd have shut down. It would have had the opposite effect.
That's why I know I have the skills and passion to work with children who struggle. In fact, helping those who are struggling has always been a part of who I am.
A hobby of mine since a child has been horses and over the years I have loved the challenging horses, the ones everybody else would give up on. The ones that are too difficult for the majority of people. I thrived on understanding their mind and what made them behave in a certain way. You can't get the best out of a horse by being a task master, you need patience and empathy (and some bravery to deal with some broken bones along the way)!
It may sound strange, but I use the same ethos when tutoring - I take a pause on the academics, I get to know each child, what they like or dislike, what motivates them and what switches their brain off, what fears they have, what successes they have and I use this to help build their confidence, to see their strengths and to find the strategies that work for them.
When a child starts to believe in themselves is when they will make the most progress!
