Our learning support and mentoring programs in 90 Australian communities directly help children in need achieve their goals through education.
View all programs Stevie the super tutor taps into student strengths
08 November 2023
In Australia, every student deserves the opportunity to develop the essential academic skills they need to build bright futures for themselves. At our Learning Clubs students get this opportunity.
Learning Clubs are a supportive out-of-school environment where students receive one-on-one support from trained volunteer tutors to help them catch up at school. Volunteer tutors can assist the students with homework and run engaging activities to improve students’ skills in numeracy, literacy and science.
For the past three years, Learning Club volunteer tutor Stevie’s been sharing her gift for noticing students’ diverse abilities, encouraging them to use their strengths that come with their differences. She’s bringing enthusiasm, expertise and humour to the multiple Tasmanian Learning Clubs she volunteers her time in.
Stevie aims to create welcoming learning environments for students of diverse abilities and backgrounds. A key part of her role is being aware of the different learning needs of each student and tailoring her tutoring approach in response. She champions the belief that differences are strengths, and encourages other tutors to tune into this with students.
Before starting as a volunteer, Stevie was worried it would be “endless worksheets, scorecards and quiet rooms”. She was glad to have her expectations flipped when she entered a Learning Club.
This Learning Club and The Smith Family create such positive change for these students and the community. I am forever grateful, changed and lucky to be a part of it.
“The centre is filled with warmth, light and hopefulness,” says Stevie.
“The students, many who are facing disadvantage or learning challenges, are full of joy and eager to learn. I feel so privileged to watch the growth among the students. Through their hard work, dedication, connection, kindness and friendship, these bright young people have essentially created a small community of their own.”
Stevie also goes the extra mile to guide other tutors. She helps build the network of quality support for students in the area. She’s always open with sharing her knowledge and strategies with her peers.
“After almost two years as an educator and tutor, I advanced into a learning facilitator role. I help other volunteers get as much from it as I continue to, and to give as much back to the fantastic students who eagerly race through the doors every week,” says Stevie.
“This Learning Club and The Smith Family create such positive change for these students and the community. I am forever grateful, changed and lucky to be a part of it.”
