My Perspective as a Tutor - Devan Earle (Instructor)

My Perspective as a Tutor
By Devan Earle


If you turn on the news today, all you see about education in the United States is turmoil, inefficiency, and chaos. Many 24 hour news stations would have you believe that indeed, tomorrow, high schools around the country will simply DISAPPEAR.

And though it's clear to see that these trumped up claims and sensationalized stories are just that, sensationalized, there are a lot of troubling facts pertaining to the state of education in this country. Fewer than 50 percent of high school students go on to graduate and that rate is much lower in some poverty-stricken areas, and also for young men and minorities.

This inadequate educational system stands in stark contrast to the fact that all scholars and pundits agree that the key to a thriving and prosperous country rests on a well-educated populace. Our economy is increasingly moving away from production and manufacturing and towards a high tech information based economy which relies on skilled workers.

Personally, I have many ideas on how to shape the educational system in America. Unfortunately though, I am just a lowly college student and a SAT tutor; no one has consulted me lately about the state of educational decline in the United States. As a tutor though, I do have the ability to positively affect the lives of my students, and as the sayings go, change starts with the individual, and be the change you want to see in the world.

As someone who graduated from a DISD public school, went through the college admissions process not once, not twice, but three times, and who has attended two different universities in 2 different states, I have intimate knowledge about the state of being a High School and College student in the 21st century. For instance I know that many High Schools do not adequately prepare their students for the grueling process of college admissions and that many parents are (rightly) confused and overwhelmed by the whole ordeal.

When I tutor then, I try to shed light on, or be a resource for, the process of college admissions, and the steps that go along with it.

Importantly too, I take the opposite tone from those too-perfect, make-up smattered 24 hour newscasters. I am not panicked or apocalyptic in my approach to education. These attitudes are not helpful for the college admissions process (or in life for that matter). Instead I work with students at whatever ability level they're at, and with whatever set of goals they have, to do the best I can to prepare them for the SAT, for college, and for life. Whenever I can sprinkle in anecdotes from history, psychology or philosophy I do so, because I believe in the importance of being a well rounded and well educate individual. So while the college admissions process is something to take seriously, it's not something to FREAK OUT about. Many conceptions I've had about the whole process have been shattered as I've moved through my college career. Importantly: just because you don't get into THAT school doesn't mean you won't be happy or successful. Also important: just because you get into THAT school, doesn't mean that you will be happy and successful. I know that this a perplexing time for our country, and even more so for our youth and young adults, but if you're worried about the college admissions process, you're taking the right first step by signing up with Victory Step Test Prep & Tutoring. In case of emergency, identify the exit rows, put on your mask before you assist those around you, and sign up for a classroom or private tutoring program at Victory Step Test Prep & Tutoring. Oh ya, did we mention the Kindles?!

Practice, Practice, Pracitce!

Nowadays, for better or worse, most colleges require prospective students to submit standardized test scores as a part of their application. More often than not, this test is the SAT exam; however, some of the same strategies used to practice for the SAT can be applied to just about any other test you’ll ever take. The most important strategy, though, is always practice; but the question is, how should you practice?

Even though the College Board says there is no way to really “study” for the SAT, practice, as with everything else in life, really does make perfect. In this case, practice begins by learning the material in school, in your math and English classes. Even though the SAT tests your critical thinking skills, you’ll still need to start learning those skills from your school work.

If you understand the concepts behind the SAT math and have honed your critical reading and writing abilities, you have developed the strong basis needed to ace a test of critical thinking. These are all skills that you need for the SAT, for college and for the rest of your life, but you can only acquire proficiency over them with years of practice at school.

No matter how good you are at school, though, the SAT can trip you up if you don’t know how to find the real answer, or some shortcuts or strategies to move through questions more quickly. After all, the SAT is a timed test, and high scores inevitably rely on how fast and accurate you are. Much of this is based on really understanding the ways the test is designed to confuse you. At Victory Step, we help prepare you for this reality of taking the SAT by teaching you to avoid common pitfalls, such as not answering the real question, and by showing you ways to save yourself time answering each question. In doing this, even if you’re not always sure of how a problem works or what a word means, you can figure it out on the spot and earn that all-important point. We also provide you with intelligently created homework and practice problems that will help you hone your skills.

Finally, there is nothing that can prepare you for the SAT as well as taking the SAT itself. That is why most students take the test two or three times before they are finally pleased with their scores, or before they realize their true potential. Even taking practice tests at home cannot really simulate the experience of taking a test in a crowded classroom on a Saturday morning for four hours. You need to prepare yourself for the conditions of the exam- like the noise from other test-takers and the hunger that inevitably sets in by section 8.

Because we at Victory Step recognize this, our program offers you the opportunity to take four practice SAT exams, giving you a feel for not just the material tested, but also the conditions you will face when you really take the test. This removes morning-of jitters, prepares you for the less-than-ideal conditions of the actual exam, and helps you learn to work against the clock.

As you can see, a lot goes into making yourself ready for the SAT, but most importantly, it’s practice, practice, practice!

Toni Whalen
SAT/ACT Instructor
Victory Step
toniwhalen@victorysteponline.com