My Journey as a Tutor
Writing Center Experience
Miller Writing Center (MWC) at Auburn University
The training that I have received at the MWC has helped me become a better tutor, teacher, and writer. Auburn's Writing Center has shifted my focus to emphasizing the student's individual voice and purpose for writing, rather then confining them to the standards set by their professor. The MWC has also given me the opportunity to work with graduate students, who bring in pieces of writing that range from scholarly articles about to be published, work concerning their graduate thesis, and materials for job applications.
Reflection on My Tutoring Goals for 2021-2022
This was my initial goal from the Fall semester:
This semester I want to learn how to consult students whose knowledge base might be radically different than mine. I will know I am successful when I am able to work with students on scientific and technical documents in disciplines whose jargon I tend not to understand."
In response to that goal, this is what I had to say at the conclusion of the semester:
I would say that I have definitely grown in learning how to switch from teacher mode to peer mode. I think at the beginning of the semester, it was hard for me to not come into a session with an ENGL 1100 student, a class that I teach, and not immediately adopt the role of the teacher. But over the course of the semester, I think I was able to perfect and understand better how to approach a student from a peer level. I also was able to work with a lot of graduate student clients this semester, who have taught me a lot and helped me achieve my goal from August. I definitely feel more confidant now working with students who are in fields that are very different from my own.
I think the readings from our circle meetings played a big role in my growth as a tutor, especially those that discussed ESL students from a first-person perspective. We do get a lot of international Auburn students at the writing center and I appreciated the readings for giving me a basis for how to best serve the needs of those students. Talking with colleagues was also a big help if I was ever stuck or needed advice. Layli, Amy, and the other writing center staff were also very helpful.
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