Time for another edition of “Meet an AVA Teacher!” This week, we talked to Dr. Sean Elliott Martin, who teaches courses on intelligence studies, English, literature, creative writing, college application essays and much more.

AVA: What advice would you offer to parents or students considering tutoring for the first time?

Sean: Some of the best and brightest students seek tutoring. Tutoring is not just for remedial learning or students who are under-prepared or struggling. It’s for anyone who takes learning seriously and wants to improve, at any level. If you think you could possibly benefit from it, you probably will.  

AVA: Can you describe your approach to helping students who struggle staying motivated?

Sean: Motivation is tricky, but absolutely essential. Everyone is motivated by something, whether or not it appears to have a direct link to the subject at hand. I try to get to know the students and their interests / passions / driving forces, and then work with them to make connections between the work we are doing and the outcomes that propel them forward. 

AVA: How can parents support their child’s learning outside of tutoring sessions?

Sean: Aside from appropriate rewards for good work and progress, it helps to provide positive attitudes and encouragement that the work will be well worth it, helping them to create the life that they want as they become adults.  

AVA: What are some common challenges you face as a tutor, and how do you overcome them?

Sean: Sometimes it’s easy to forget that tutors have our good and bad days, like everyone else. We also find certain subjects or processes just as tedious as our students do. We tend to have more experience and perspective about these matters because of our years dealing with them, so we can usually keep on track and push through in terms of energy. I try not to bring any negativity to the sessions, but I can empathize when a student voices frustration or a lack of interest. I usually spend a few minutes talking with the student about the value of what we are about to work on, the fact that it may or may not come easily, and why it’s crucial that we get through it as a team. This tends to make the experience better for both of us. 

AVA: What inspired you to become a tutor?

Sean: I stumbled into it because I needed a campus job in undergrad and I found out that I could make a few bucks helping students learn the subjects I loved – psychology, mythology, writing, etc. I enjoyed the process so much that I kept teaching and tutoring for decades. 

AVA: Can you share a memorable success story from your tutoring experience?

Sean: I had a non-traditional student, perhaps 30 years old, who was completely deaf. I didn’t know sign language but he could read lips and speak a little bit. We learned to be creative as we worked together through writing, pantomime, lip reading, and a bit of sign-spelling that I eventually picked up. We got a great system going and I helped him all throughout his degree, in various subjects. I was honored that he always requested me as his tutor and planned his schedule so that we could meet regularly.