I Practice

I'm expanding in my tutoring job. I get to do the math tutoring for the younger students, from Pre-kinder to Second Grade. The tutors we get for the older students don't necessarily have the skill set to teach basic math concepts and problem solving strategies. Then again, I wouldn't have a clue where to start in teaching Trig or Calculus.

I like my job. But I've made a (not so new) discovery recently.

I am a mean teacher.

Me: "Please keep working on your essay."
Student: "But I'm tired...."
Me: "And I'm old. And not getting any younger. Keep working."

Me: "Please be sure to show your work on the math problems. I'm checking to see if you know the strategy to solve the problem."
Student: "But my hand is KILLING me!"
Me: "Not fast enough for you to get out of doing the word problems. Keep working."

Me: "You need to re-read the question, and then re-read the paragraph to find the answer. The answer is there."
Student: "But...I don't WANT to."
Me: "BUT... I do want you to, and so do your parents. Keep working."

Student: "Teacher, you're mean."
Me: "Thank you, I practice."
Student: "groaaaannn..."