08/13/2024
Hi! I’m Coach Aimee, a local mom, public school educator, and upper-grades reading and writing tutoring entrepreneur.
Lately, I have seen more people around here advertising on Facebook for test prep tutoring. Yet, from their posts, I never feel like I could know what they’re like as a person. A cold, anonymous post every now and again pops up. No connection. No individual voice.
Myself, I like to tell stories when I post for my business. That’s not for everyone, but the people who appreciate me for who I am are who I want as clients.
So it’s storytime.
Back in October, I started working with a test prep client from Florida. Out of a list of names, her dad called because of my business name, Shore Up Academics. He said it reminded him of home. Funny enough, he was born in Toms River and lived there until he was about 7 or 8 (while my family has been there for generations!).
I found a great math tutor for his daughter who, with his knowledge and expertise, helped her soar into the 600s. (I have some great math folks on speed dial!)
But that new reading section is really stymying kids, and she has continued to push through the tough stuff. Even my 1991 nemesis, that sneaky vocab atrocity “torpor,” made its way onto a recent practice test! While it’s unlikely that we will see analogies or the word “inchoate” anytime before I retire, between the labarynthine logic, the syntactical slipperiness, and the vexing vocab, this new test is its own unique beast.
My client has worked *so hard* for 75% Florida Bright Futures, and I’m so excited for her to crush it next Saturday and get that bread. It has been wonderful to work with her, and this achievement will be such a blessing to her and her family. Beyond her final score—whatever it may be—in terms of soft skills like confidence, adaptability, problem solving, and work ethic, she has grown so much!
I know tests are controversial, but they’re a thing, and (I’ve said it before and will say it again) they can be used as a tool instead of an obstacle. I keep saying that I have two goals in mind in my practice: empowering young adults and families to use this tool to pick the locks of admissions and scholarships and empowering myself to get the heck of teaching at 55 and still do what I love on my terms!
Her dad paid me a very high compliment, saying he would trust me with the next daughter in a few years.
I told him he’ll get a discount if he helps me retire early from referrals! 🤣 He was nice enough to permit me to post his message of gratitude.
💪 🧠 🌊 📚 Reach out if you need me!