Cover Letter
Dear Ms. Withheld,
I admit that when I first became a writing tutor at Rowan University’s Writing Center, I was very nervous. Even though I had taken a Tutoring Writing course, I was afraid I would do everything wrong and would scare my students away, never to return again. But during my very first session, I did what came naturally (even though I was shaking in my boots) and gave the advice I thought worked best for the student’s paper. I did this for every session I had and before long students were coming back to see me multiple times, some making appointments every week. Soon, the students started saying how much I had helped them and that I was a great tutor. Both students and coworkers have told me that I am an extremely talented tutor, and that I have a gift when it comes to working with students who have disabilities. This still surprises me every time I hear it, even after tutoring for three years. I thought being a tutor would be tricky, and, believe me, some sessions (and students) can be very difficult. But no matter the situation, I always enjoy tutoring. I act like myself and everything seems to fall into place.
One time during a staff meeting, the Writing Center’s Director asked us to name our individual strengths as tutors. I had never thought about this before, but during the exercise I realized what exactly makes me a good tutor. Firstly, I am patient. I do not get irritated or annoyed with my students, even if the pace of the session is very slow. I also do not mind going over every sentence if I need to. Once, I spent three hours on a paper that was written by a student with a reading disability. Everyone was amazed with my patience and commitment, but, to me, I was just doing my job. Secondly, I am not intimidating or pretentious. I am a small, quiet person; I think this actually helps me as a tutor because students are not afraid to approach me or talk to me, which makes them more comfortable. When striking up a conversation with students, I do not think of myself as above them. I am simply a fellow peer who also has difficulty with writing sometimes. When I point out a problem or issue during a session, I am polite and nonjudgmental because I do not want to upset the student or make them feel inept. My third strength as a tutor is my writing. I don’t want to sound cocky, but I am a very good writer. I have been told many times that I have a way with words. On top of this, I am very experienced in writing because, as a Writing Arts major, I needed to write constantly and wrote many different pieces in all kinds of genres.
I will bring these strengths to your facility and use them when working with tutees and students. I will be able to help others with their writing without making them feel incompetent or uncomfortable. I will also be able to work with all kinds of students, no matter their level. Some tutors may be afraid to work with ESL students or students with disabilities; I’m not. I enjoy working with any student, and find that working with students who have disabilities or language problems is extra rewarding. If hired, I will bring my love of tutoring and writing to your facility and share it with all of the students I tutor.
Sincerely,
Rachel Kelly
I admit that when I first became a writing tutor at Rowan University’s Writing Center, I was very nervous. Even though I had taken a Tutoring Writing course, I was afraid I would do everything wrong and would scare my students away, never to return again. But during my very first session, I did what came naturally (even though I was shaking in my boots) and gave the advice I thought worked best for the student’s paper. I did this for every session I had and before long students were coming back to see me multiple times, some making appointments every week. Soon, the students started saying how much I had helped them and that I was a great tutor. Both students and coworkers have told me that I am an extremely talented tutor, and that I have a gift when it comes to working with students who have disabilities. This still surprises me every time I hear it, even after tutoring for three years. I thought being a tutor would be tricky, and, believe me, some sessions (and students) can be very difficult. But no matter the situation, I always enjoy tutoring. I act like myself and everything seems to fall into place.
One time during a staff meeting, the Writing Center’s Director asked us to name our individual strengths as tutors. I had never thought about this before, but during the exercise I realized what exactly makes me a good tutor. Firstly, I am patient. I do not get irritated or annoyed with my students, even if the pace of the session is very slow. I also do not mind going over every sentence if I need to. Once, I spent three hours on a paper that was written by a student with a reading disability. Everyone was amazed with my patience and commitment, but, to me, I was just doing my job. Secondly, I am not intimidating or pretentious. I am a small, quiet person; I think this actually helps me as a tutor because students are not afraid to approach me or talk to me, which makes them more comfortable. When striking up a conversation with students, I do not think of myself as above them. I am simply a fellow peer who also has difficulty with writing sometimes. When I point out a problem or issue during a session, I am polite and nonjudgmental because I do not want to upset the student or make them feel inept. My third strength as a tutor is my writing. I don’t want to sound cocky, but I am a very good writer. I have been told many times that I have a way with words. On top of this, I am very experienced in writing because, as a Writing Arts major, I needed to write constantly and wrote many different pieces in all kinds of genres.
I will bring these strengths to your facility and use them when working with tutees and students. I will be able to help others with their writing without making them feel incompetent or uncomfortable. I will also be able to work with all kinds of students, no matter their level. Some tutors may be afraid to work with ESL students or students with disabilities; I’m not. I enjoy working with any student, and find that working with students who have disabilities or language problems is extra rewarding. If hired, I will bring my love of tutoring and writing to your facility and share it with all of the students I tutor.
Sincerely,
Rachel Kelly