Written by Kimberly Falk

Master Teacher/Tutor

After I retired from teaching in the Spring/Woodlands area in May of 2018, I needed a break. Thirty years in high school classrooms, faculty leadership positions, writing curriculum, and presenting staff development workshops had taken its toll. I needed peace, quiet, and SLEEP!

The show must go on

Don’t get me wrong, I loved teaching! For years, I thrived on performing a full-on Broadway show to 27+ high school students every forty-five minutes, six times a day, in an effort to meet all of their abilities, learning styles, IEPs, testing standards, and required curriculum in a research-based way. Through a mix of music and a carefully-planned, thematic, print-rich environment, I satisfied my creative spirit and found sustainability through the challenges. It was magical when one student’s eyes would light up with a new understanding, and another student would muster the courage to ask the questions that sparked the best discussions. We all fed off each other, immersed in an environment of learning so impactful we hardly felt the growth as it happened.

A shift in the students

But the culture of learning began to shift, and students became less attentive. Nothing could replace the energy needed from students to match the quality of a great lesson. Eventually, trying to force that energy drained me. I was mentally and physically exhausted. I needed time to rest and to renew.

A renewal

Gradually, I started to find my energy again. I returned to my hobbies and found a book club for lovers of the classics and great discussion. Perfect for a retired English teacher. I met new friends and had time for lunch and a bit of shopping. Retirement was great!

Then COVID happened.

It was difficult to watch friends and colleagues scramble to adjust to Zoom school. Educational standards and good lesson planning went out the window, replaced by inappropriateness caught on camera and the MUTE button. Good teaching does not happen on a laptop. The magic of face-to-face interaction was gone.

Effects of Covid on students

Students finally returned to school but without the behaviors needed for learning. Many struggled to adjust. Massive learning gaps were evident. I knew I wanted to make a difference for students. I was ready for a challenge and to help students return to a culture of learning. But how?

Finding Simply Tutoring

A friend told me about Simply Tutoring. I looked at the website, read about matching tutors to students, and contacted Sue. The service Simply Tutoring offers The Woodlands community is important and necessary. And the flexibility provides a way to meet the needs of both tutor and student. I could work with students one-on-one, set my own schedule, and do my best to make a difference. Simply Tutoring was a perfect opportunity!

Still making a difference with students

I am able to work with students again. I look for the spark in their eyes when they understand and the curiosity in the questions they ask. Sharing cultural literacy, and why it is important, is crucial to our survival and the freedoms we enjoy. Today’s students are our future. Simply Tutoring is a perfect match!