Why Should You Consider Tutoring at Home?

Why Should You Consider Tutoring at Home?The University of Louisville is a very unique university. Though, it is one of the top universities in the country, not everyone who visits the campus is familiar with all of the facts surrounding the school.When one considers the options for tutoring within the city of Louisville, one would find a variety of options to help their students to fulfill their dreams. Even if one had never been to the campus before, they are certain to find tutoring available as part of their school. From teaching senior projects to an online certification program for those who need it, there are many choices for tutoring to help their students reach their goals.The Louisville Tutoring Institute is just one of many tutoring institutions that have become very popular in recent years. Often, parents are very busy and find themselves reaching out to the colleges or universities that they prefer. This has created the need for those parents who wish to have a more flex ible approach with their child's schooling. Tutoring has become a popular option for those parents who desire to have a more efficient and successful education for their children.If you have a child who would like to enroll in college, and want to use tutoring to help their academic progress, you should consider using tutoring to assist them in their studies. Many teachers have had success in helping their students by using the tutoring programs offered by the colleges and universities within the area. When they offer this service, it allows their students to reach their goals as well as preparing them for the future without the assistance of another person.While at home, tutoring can also help a student who may have had problems with a test or essay that was too difficult to understand. When a student is working on homework or has an exam to do, they may need a bit of help. The tutoring program they are enrolled in can help them with studying and prepare them for the upcoming tests .If a parent decides to tutor their child at home, they are sure to find that they can get the attention they need by using a quality program. This can help the student become more confident and help them get a good grade on the course. Many times, when a student is working on homework, it is very frustrating because they are not able to fully understand what they are reading. Using a tutoring program can help them to learn much faster, allowing them to complete the course more quickly.Tutoring at home can provide the students with a great time. They can learn a lot about the material that they need to be successful in the classroom. Also, a tutoring program can help to make their educational schedule work more efficiently, allowing them to spend more time in the classroom learning. Most importantly, this can help their students to reach their goals or even start college and earn a degree with all of the rest of their classmates.

How to Use Tumblr

How to Use Tumblr The Practical Guide to Using Tumblr ChaptersSigning Up on TumblrBlog, Reblog, and RereblogBrowsing Tumblr AccountsLogging Out or Deleting Your TumblrIn 2018, the Tumblr platform had nearly 800 million users, putting it in 5th place in terms of social media after Facebook, YouTube, WhatsApp, and Instagram.This blogging platform is still popular thanks to its original and effective design: allowing bloggers to highlight their creations, be them pictures, photos, videos, or music. This blogging revolution paved the way with its simple but effective notion:Come for what you love. Stay for what you discover.In this article, Superprof is going to help you discover Tumblr by creating your account, using a Tumblr blog, finding other Tumblrs, and getting used to blogging. other Tumblr users can follow your blog and they’ll be up to date with everything you post. You’ll get a notification when they do. This is also true for reblogs and likes.If you don’t know what to follow on Tumblr, start by searching your favourite thin gs in the search bar. You’ll soon find posts from other interesting accounts. There are plenty of funny accounts on Tumblr which are worth a follow.There are plenty of popular funny accounts.Once you’re familiar with a few Tumblr users, you can get in contact with them. Just head to the messaging feature at the top. Messages are the easiest way to communicate on the platform and are like the chat functions on other platforms.Logging Out or Deleting Your TumblrLogging Out from TumblrSometimes you’ll find yourself looking at some of the oddest posts. Maybe you’re on a public or shared computer and security is really important.Either way, it might be time to log out of Tumblr.Tumblr was created in 2007 by a 20-year-old David Karp! (Source: Free-Photos)To log out, go to your dashboard, click on the icon of the person and click “Log Out”.However, if you regularly check your Tumblr, you might want to stay connected. Similarly, if you have a popular Tumblr, you’ll be keeping an ear out for the next notification.Quitting TumblrThere are plenty of reasons to delete your Tumblr account such as freeing up personal time or wanting to spend time on other things.To delete your Tumblr, you’ll have to:Click on settings (the gear icon).Click on “Delete”.Confirm by clicking “Yes”.Enter your email address.Enter your password.Enter the URL of your Tumblr.Your account will be deleted and so will your Tumblr.As you’ll have understood, Tumblr is all about simplicity. You can also learn to use Instagram  or Pinterest, for example. If you need more help with computers, you can always get in touch with a private tutor on Superprof.

Narrative versus Argument

Narrative versus Argument Imagine two tribes of humans living in the same part of prehistoric Africa. One tribe is called the Story People, and the other tribe is called the Practical People. Times are tough, and both tribes are competing for the same scarce resources. They are equal in every way, except after the Story People come home from hunting and gathering they make up stories to tell each other before going to sleep. The Practical People do not. They keep hunting and gathering until bed. Which tribe do you think will succeed and which tribe will die off? That is the question posed in The Storytelling Animal, a book by Jonathan Gottschall. We already know the answer, says Gottschall, because the Story People survived. We are the Story People. The Practical People, if they ever existed, do not exist now. Almost certainly, storytelling has evolved to ensure our survival. Stories are like flight-simulators, says Gottschall. They prepare us for the problems of real life. Instead of teaching us to land a jet on an aircraft carrier during a storm, stories give us practice thinking about the problems of being human. The more we engage in narrative (another word for storytelling) whether in conversation, books or film, the better able we are at understanding others and at modelling ways to respond to life’s problems. Psychologists have found that people who read a lot of fiction have better social skills and more empathy than people who read a lot of nonfiction. Stories are a kind of ancient virtual reality technology that simulates the big dilemmas of life. Stories, in short, are good for us. Now, imagine two low-intermediate English Second Language classes. One class, called the Narrative Class learns English by writing narratives while the other class, the Academic Class, writes academic essays. Which class learns more English? Evolution cannot help us here because language courses are designed by teachers, not evolution. However, there is research that points to an answer. Corpus Linguistics research (Biber et al., 1999) reveals that academic writing and conversation have stark differences in the frequency of the grammatical forms and vocabulary employed. Clauses in conversation are much shorter, so verbs are more frequent. Of the verbs used, modals, the Present Perfect tense and progressive (-ing) forms are much more common in conversation than in academic writing. Negatives, contractions and pronouns are also much more common in conversation. Since narratives contain a large amount of quoted speech, narrative writing tasks provide practice using many of the linguistic features needed for oral communication. Applied Linguistics research suggests that narrative writing could be more helpful to students learning English in another way. A study conducted by Dr. Norman Segalowitz at McGill University in 1976 found that an over-emphasis on formal registers in language learning had a negative effect on learners’ self-confidence. The study showed that non-fluent second language learners believed themselves to appear less intelligent, less self-confident, and less friendly during casual speech situations than formal situations because their Second Language courses had consistently prioritized academic forms of expression over conversational forms. Courses that combine the formal aspects of writing with the informal language of conversation through narrative writing should, therefore, have the opposite effect on self-confidence in speaking English. Increasing self-confidence in lower proficiency learners has been shown to have a direct positive effect on the frequency of communication (MacIntyr e Charos, 1996), and we all know that the more you practice speaking English the better you get in the long run. This is not to suggest that no one should ever learn academic English. Fluent bilinguals who already know enough English to feel confident making casual conversation could very well benefit from a course in academic English, especially if they intend to go to an English language university. According to Lamarre (2008), 8% of students at English language universities in Quebec are Francophones. These advanced students most certainly need some training in academic English to succeed. Nevertheless, of our two hypothetical classes, the science seems to suggest that the Story Class is likely to learn more English than the Academic Class. Narrative writing with its emphasis on informal English will help students feel better prepared for real-life encounters with Anglophones. More self-confidence will lead to more contact, which will lead to more meaningful practice. The range of conversational grammar and vocabulary contained in stories will also give those learners practice with forms that they rarely or never appear in academic writing tasks. In this way, narrative writing is a kind of linguistic virtual reality technology. It helps us safely prepare for the most challenging aspects of language learning in a meaningful and entertaining way. Please follow and like us:

Teacher QA Exploring Abu Dhabi public schools with Lindsey, part 1

Teacher QA Exploring Abu Dhabi public schools with Lindsey, part 1 I had the opportunity to chat with Lindsey, one of our many Teach Away alumni, about her experiences overseas. Check out the first half of interview below to get the inside scoop on teaching abroad in Abu Dhabi public schools. Find part 2 here. How long did you teach in Abu Dhabi for? Lindsey:I taught in Abu Dhabi for five years from January 2010 until December 2015. Were you a licensed teacher before you taught in Abu Dhabi? How much experience did you have prior to teaching abroad? ?Lindsey:I am a licensed teacher in Ontario, Canada. I received my teaching license in May of 2008. I had one year of experience teaching abroad in South Korea before I started my contract in Abu Dhabi. All of my teaching experience has been overseas (with the exception of my practicums to complete my Bachelor of Education). Did you teach in Abu Dhabi City or rural Abu Dhabi? ?Lindsey:I taught in Al Ain which is like a suburban lifestyle (think Santa Monica to Los Angeles or Mississauga to Toronto). However, even though it wasn’t “city living”, Al Ain still had everything I needed and more. There are large shopping malls, grocery stores, car dealerships, hotels, and even have a Tim Hortons! How did your teach abroad experience help shape you as an educator? ?Lindsey:Teaching abroad improves patience and understanding on a whole different level. My classroom became a truly inclusive environment as I was fully aware and exposed to cultural and language differences. Teaching abroad in Abu Dhabi made me a more flexible educator. I find that I am more tolerant and that I “don’t sweat the small stuff” as much as I used to. Teaching abroad also taught me the importance of differentiation, allowed me to understand student learning needs, and also to realize that student experiences are completely unique - a critical element to incorporate into your lessons. Also, in Abu Dhabi, professional development programs for teachers are a very important aspect of the education reform; these helped me to learn and grow as an educator as well. How was your salary and benefits package? ?Lindsey:The benefits were great. There is no probation period for your benefits, so those kick in from the day you arrive in Abu Dhabi. It’s a very comprehensive package, covering prescriptions, dental, and eye care. The housing was amazing. I was placed in a 2-bedroom apartment that was very large. I had a full kitchen, three bathrooms and a living room with a balcony. The furniture allowance was more than generous. I was satisfied with my salary, as it was tax free and I didn't pay for my apartment! It was a good deal. Were you able to save and/or afford to travel while teaching in Abu Dhabi? ?Lindsey:I was able to save some money, however, I’m more of a live-in-the-moment type of person. I did a lot of traveling - Egypt, Sri Lanka, Kenya, Qatar, Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong, and more. The UAE is in a great location for travel. You can get some great deals for weekend trips, and I was still able to come back to Canada for most of my holidays. How were your lifestyle and the cost of living in Abu Dhabi? ?Lindsey:The lifestyle in the Emirates was fantastic! There is so many things to do and see. I never found myself ‘bored’ or looking for an activity to do. Most people there are expats. Therefore, there are a lot of clubs and groups that people can join for all sorts of activities, like sports, recreation, and travel. I found the cuisine to be very international. Of course, there are many local restaurants with local food, which I personally thought was delicious, but there are restaurants there from all over the world. The cost of living is relatively inexpensive. The cost of water and hydro, depending on use and apartment size, can be anywhere from 500 to 1000 dirhams month. Most apartment or villa complexes have access to fiber optic internet connections. Gas is really cheap! It cost me 50 dirhams, about fifteen dollars, to fill a 50 litre tank. Food is comparatively priced to living in North America. Produce is more expensive because it’s mostly imported. How challenging was the interview process? ?Lindsey:I found it as challenging as any interview process for any job I’ve really wanted. I had to go out of my way for the in-person interview session, but I didn’t mind because I really wanted the opportunity. Teach Away was very helpful in providing me assistance with the application/interview and visa process. I found the process smooth, which made the transition to a new job and country a lot easier. Tell me about your thought process as you approached applying, interviewing, and eventually stepping on the plane. Was it difficult to commit to teaching abroad? How did you convince yourself that this was the right career move for you? ?Lindsey:When I finished my Bachelor of Education, jobs for teachers in Ontario were scarce at best. A few of my friends from my Education program and I decided we wanted to move to another country to travel and get a teaching job. We decided to apply to South Korea, which is where I eventually fell in love with teaching abroad and travelling. After my year in Korea, I returned to Canada. I applied for different teaching positions and was successful with some supply work -- but, I still had the travel bug. I called Teach Away and was introduced to the idea of teaching in Abu Dhabi. I hadn’t considered the Middle East when I decided to go abroad again and I certainly hadn’t considered committing to a two-and-a-half-year contract either. I decided to go to the second stage interview in New York City to see if I would be successful. My interview went smoothly, everyone was very nice, pleasant, and professional. I was told by the Teach Away representative present that I would hear back soon to find out whether I was accepted or not. It was Christmas Eve, 2009 that I received a call offering me a position. I was so excited, but my family was worried for my safety. Despite my nerves, I had decided to go and in order to make myself get on the plane, I jumped with two feet forward. I got on the plane and didn’t look back. I moved overseas by myself, knowing absolutely no one. It was terrifying The great thing about going abroad is that most people are in the exact same shoes as you are. I met five other girls around the same age as me before I even got on the plane! We bonded quickly, which proved to be a perfect example of the powerful connections that come from sharing a teach abroad experience with others. The bonds are different than connections you make with friends back home; your friends abroad are your family I didn’t immediately realize that moving to the UAE was the right decision, but over my first year living there I realized that I would not trade the experiences teaching abroad afforded me for anything. I learned so much and grew as a person. Read the rest of Lindsey's interview in part 2 here. Click here for more info and job postings in Abu Dhabi public schools

Instructor Spotlight Ann Quigley

Instructor Spotlight Ann Quigley Instructor Spotlight: Ann Quigley Ann Quigley, Instructor of Kumon Math and Reading Center of Kirkwood As we sat down with Ann Quigley, she couldn’t help but smile as she reflected on the past 25 years of being the Instructor of Kumon Math and Reading Center of Kirkwood. With endless inspirational stories of students, including the success of her very own children, it’s clear that she has made a lasting impression on young minds in this St. Louis suburb. Ann’s story began as a high school and middle school teacher. After teaching for 12 years, she wanted to get out of the classroom setting, but stay connected to education. “I’ve always loved learning and felt called to be a teacher. When I elected to be a stay at home mom, I knew I wanted work that kept me connected to education,” said Ann. “I distinctly remember the moment my friend’s daughter was working on her Kumon Math work and being so impressed by the young girl’s fast mental calculation skills. It was then when I saw the true power of the Kumon Method.” Ann not only pulls on her experience as a teacher, but also from homeschooling her children up until high school. She is fascinated by and observant of each student’s learning style and the individualized process it takes to get them to where they need to be. “I try to see and understand each child’s learning style and level of confidence,” said Ann. “Over time I learn how much to push and when to back off to balance emotions. This is a long process throughout the relationship with the student.” Ann is proud of her children’s many accomplishments, especially that all three are Kumon Reading Program completers! While all three children have different career paths, including Colleen, an Olympian steeplechase runner, they all credit Kumon for helping them achieve success. “Kumon was a component in my children developing academic skills as well as time management skills,” said Ann. “Kumon was always one of our consistent tools to achieve our goals. Having the daily routine of Kumon gave them structure when they were growing up, while being homeschooled at the same time. I always speak to my parents about my experience, and how the most important component of a child’s development is their guidance and the example that is being set for them.” What is it about being an Instructor you enjoy the most?   I really enjoy changing a child’s attitude towards learning and watching their confidence soar. Once a student recognizes their own growth, you immediately notice the positive change. An activity that I love doing is asking them to “brag” about a moment they were proud of. It’s so great to see them smile and feel good about their hard work. What is the most valuable lesson you’ve learned as a Kumon Instructor? Through the years, I’ve had many valuable lessons, and the learning never stops. I always work with my staff and myself to find the strongest observation methods to further make an impact on our student’s growth. Can you describe an instruction moment where you made an impact on a student?   These moments happen all the time, and they are great. I remember hearing a student who had been struggling for a while proudly exclaim, “I’m really good at Kumon.” It’s so rewarding seeing my students proud of themselves and accomplishing things no matter how big or small. What is your favorite book on Kumon’s Recommended Reading List?   I love them all! If I had to choose, it would be A Wrinkle in Time. I recently had a great conversation about the book with one of my students, and I remembered all the rich themes. I love how the main character who is a super intelligent young girl, acts as a reluctant hero. This book has so many textures that every time one reads it, even as an adult, there’s a new take-away. What do you like to do in your spare time?   I am an avid reader and am especially fond of historical fiction books. Our family loves hiking, so we always try to pick a destination that has great trails. We recently took a trip out to Oregon and hiked South Sister. We hiked a total of 28 miles while backpacking and reached the peak of the mountain (10,000 feet peak elevation!) What is a fun fact about you that people may not know?   I was on pace to qualify as a marathon runner for the 1988 Olympic trials for team USA. Learn more about the Kumon Franchise opportunity and discover additional franchisee success stories. You might also be interested in: Instructor Spotlight: Lillian Brijeski Instructor Spotlight: Laisa Mathissen Instructor Spotlight: Scott Manis Instructor Spotlight: Jennifer Ju Instructor Spotlight Ann Quigley Instructor Spotlight: Ann Quigley Ann Quigley, Instructor of Kumon Math and Reading Center of Kirkwood As we sat down with Ann Quigley, she couldn’t help but smile as she reflected on the past 25 years of being the Instructor of Kumon Math and Reading Center of Kirkwood. With endless inspirational stories of students, including the success of her very own children, it’s clear that she has made a lasting impression on young minds in this St. Louis suburb. Ann’s story began as a high school and middle school teacher. After teaching for 12 years, she wanted to get out of the classroom setting, but stay connected to education. “I’ve always loved learning and felt called to be a teacher. When I elected to be a stay at home mom, I knew I wanted work that kept me connected to education,” said Ann. “I distinctly remember the moment my friend’s daughter was working on her Kumon Math work and being so impressed by the young girl’s fast mental calculation skills. It was then when I saw the true power of the Kumon Method.” Ann not only pulls on her experience as a teacher, but also from homeschooling her children up until high school. She is fascinated by and observant of each student’s learning style and the individualized process it takes to get them to where they need to be. “I try to see and understand each child’s learning style and level of confidence,” said Ann. “Over time I learn how much to push and when to back off to balance emotions. This is a long process throughout the relationship with the student.” Ann is proud of her children’s many accomplishments, especially that all three are Kumon Reading Program completers! While all three children have different career paths, including Colleen, an Olympian steeplechase runner, they all credit Kumon for helping them achieve success. “Kumon was a component in my children developing academic skills as well as time management skills,” said Ann. “Kumon was always one of our consistent tools to achieve our goals. Having the daily routine of Kumon gave them structure when they were growing up, while being homeschooled at the same time. I always speak to my parents about my experience, and how the most important component of a child’s development is their guidance and the example that is being set for them.” What is it about being an Instructor you enjoy the most?   I really enjoy changing a child’s attitude towards learning and watching their confidence soar. Once a student recognizes their own growth, you immediately notice the positive change. An activity that I love doing is asking them to “brag” about a moment they were proud of. It’s so great to see them smile and feel good about their hard work. What is the most valuable lesson you’ve learned as a Kumon Instructor? Through the years, I’ve had many valuable lessons, and the learning never stops. I always work with my staff and myself to find the strongest observation methods to further make an impact on our student’s growth. Can you describe an instruction moment where you made an impact on a student?   These moments happen all the time, and they are great. I remember hearing a student who had been struggling for a while proudly exclaim, “I’m really good at Kumon.” It’s so rewarding seeing my students proud of themselves and accomplishing things no matter how big or small. What is your favorite book on Kumon’s Recommended Reading List?   I love them all! If I had to choose, it would be A Wrinkle in Time. I recently had a great conversation about the book with one of my students, and I remembered all the rich themes. I love how the main character who is a super intelligent young girl, acts as a reluctant hero. This book has so many textures that every time one reads it, even as an adult, there’s a new take-away. What do you like to do in your spare time?   I am an avid reader and am especially fond of historical fiction books. Our family loves hiking, so we always try to pick a destination that has great trails. We recently took a trip out to Oregon and hiked South Sister. We hiked a total of 28 miles while backpacking and reached the peak of the mountain (10,000 feet peak elevation!) What is a fun fact about you that people may not know?   I was on pace to qualify as a marathon runner for the 1988 Olympic trials for team USA. Learn more about the Kumon Franchise opportunity and discover additional franchisee success stories. You might also be interested in: Instructor Spotlight: Lillian Brijeski Instructor Spotlight: Laisa Mathissen Instructor Spotlight: Scott Manis Instructor Spotlight: Jennifer Ju

11-Year-Old Budding Lawyer Discovers Path to Success

11-Year-Old Budding Lawyer Discovers Path to Success 11-Year-Old Budding Lawyer Discovers Path to Success At just 11-years-old, Arjun is a remarkable young kid. His schedule is packed full of extracurricular activitiesâ€"piano recitals, soccer games, boy scouts,  Destination Imagination,  and  running club at his local elementary school. On top of that, he’s  completed the entire Kumon Reading Programâ€"which ends  with  Shakespeareâ€"and is currently tackling high school level algebra in the Kumon Math Program.  Did we mention that he’s only in the sixth grade?   It is obvious that Arjun is on a path towards a bright future. In fact, he already  knows what he wants to be when he grows up.  His  strong passion for debate and logic  has inspired him  to become  a lawyer  someday. Even though he’s “keeping his options open,” Arjun is making sure he’s well prepared by joining a debate club and public speaking club.     With such an impressive background, it’s no surprise  Arjun was one of 56 students selected from thousands of applicants to attend  Kumon’s 2018 Student Conference. He talks about his journey with Kumon.   How has Kumon helped you beyond academics?   The daily Kumon work has taught me the discipline of doing something every day without fail. Kumon has also taught me about time management and has instilled in me the will to never give up.  Because of Kumon, I never give up on anything and know that I will improve if I just practice. With Kumon, I have learned to study by myself or with just a little help, which has allowed me to grasp information and concepts quickly.     What did it mean to you to be invited to the 2018  Kumon  Student Conference?   Arjun shakes hands with Kumon North America President Mino Tanabe With almost seven years of Kumon experience, Kumon has become a ritual for me. My local Kumon Center has seen me grow intellectually and as a person. Because of that, I feel part of the Kumon family. Being invited to the 2018 Student Conference gave me the golden opportunity to meet other members of my Kumon family from all over the United States, Canada and Mexico.  I really enjoyed learning from program completers and networking with current Kumon Students that are walking the same pathway as me. I look forward to talking about my experiences with my friends at the local Kumon Center.                                                                                                                                                                                     What keeps you motivated in Kumon?   There’s always something new to learn. The simple fact that there’s always room for improvement keeps me going. Learning above my current school grade level and getting quality enrichment opportunities motivates me. Kumon gives me the joy of feeling smarter and the thrill of achieving each challenge.       Discover even more Kumon success stories.       You might also be interested in: This 14-Year-Old Has a Dream of Working in the National Hockey League Discipline is the Key to this Students Success Marcus and Xavier: Individuals in their own right, but on the same path towards learning success Meet Michael, a 12-year-old Studying Advanced Algebra after One Year in Kumon 11-Year-Old Budding Lawyer Discovers Path to Success 11-Year-Old Budding Lawyer Discovers Path to Success At just 11-years-old, Arjun is a remarkable young kid. His schedule is packed full of extracurricular activitiesâ€"piano recitals, soccer games, boy scouts,  Destination Imagination,  and  running club at his local elementary school. On top of that, he’s  completed the entire Kumon Reading Programâ€"which ends  with  Shakespeareâ€"and is currently tackling high school level algebra in the Kumon Math Program.  Did we mention that he’s only in the sixth grade?   It is obvious that Arjun is on a path towards a bright future. In fact, he already  knows what he wants to be when he grows up.  His  strong passion for debate and logic  has inspired him  to become  a lawyer  someday. Even though he’s “keeping his options open,” Arjun is making sure he’s well prepared by joining a debate club and public speaking club.     With such an impressive background, it’s no surprise  Arjun was one of 56 students selected from thousands of applicants to attend  Kumon’s 2018 Student Conference. He talks about his journey with Kumon.   How has Kumon helped you beyond academics?   The daily Kumon work has taught me the discipline of doing something every day without fail. Kumon has also taught me about time management and has instilled in me the will to never give up.  Because of Kumon, I never give up on anything and know that I will improve if I just practice. With Kumon, I have learned to study by myself or with just a little help, which has allowed me to grasp information and concepts quickly.     What did it mean to you to be invited to the 2018  Kumon  Student Conference?   Arjun shakes hands with Kumon North America President Mino Tanabe With almost seven years of Kumon experience, Kumon has become a ritual for me. My local Kumon Center has seen me grow intellectually and as a person. Because of that, I feel part of the Kumon family. Being invited to the 2018 Student Conference gave me the golden opportunity to meet other members of my Kumon family from all over the United States, Canada and Mexico.  I really enjoyed learning from program completers and networking with current Kumon Students that are walking the same pathway as me. I look forward to talking about my experiences with my friends at the local Kumon Center.                                                                                                                                                                                     What keeps you motivated in Kumon?   There’s always something new to learn. The simple fact that there’s always room for improvement keeps me going. Learning above my current school grade level and getting quality enrichment opportunities motivates me. Kumon gives me the joy of feeling smarter and the thrill of achieving each challenge.       Discover even more Kumon success stories.       You might also be interested in: This 14-Year-Old Has a Dream of Working in the National Hockey League Discipline is the Key to this Students Success Marcus and Xavier: Individuals in their own right, but on the same path towards learning success Meet Michael, a 12-year-old Studying Advanced Algebra after One Year in Kumon

Female Doctors Better for Your Health

Female Doctors Better for Your Health pixabay.com According to Dr. Ashish Jha, “there’s a lot of evidence out there that male and female physicians practice medicine a little bit differently … The data out there says that women physicians tend to be a little bit better at sticking to the evidence and doing the things that we know work better … We estimate that approximately 32,000 fewer patients would die if male physicians could achieve the same outcomes as female physicians every year.” The records for over 1.5 million elderly, Medicare patients that were admitted to hospitals for medical reasons (not surgery) between the years 2011 and 2015 were used in this research. The report was published in the Journal of the American Medical Association’s JAMA Internal Medicine. It states, “Patients cared for by female physicians had lower 30-day mortality than did patients treated by male physicians.” Again, the difference may appear small, and Jha understands this outlook on the research. However Jha’s team ensures their readers that this matters to patient mortality. Over this four year span, a little below 11 percent of patients that were treated by female doctors died within a month of being admitted to the hospital, while 11.5 percent of patients that were treated by male doctors died within a month. On this same note, 15 percent of patients that were treated by female doctors ended up returning to the hospital within the month while 15.5 percent of patients treated by male doctors ended up returning. According to the researchers, “We estimate that approximately 32,000 fewer patients would die if male physicians could achieve the same outcomes as female physicians every year.” This is, obviously, a bold statement to make based on gender, and one that we shouldn’t take lightly. Further research will certainly need to be conducted to ascertain how much of this depends on gender dynamics and how much depends on chance and other confounding factors. According to the researchers, “Previous work has shown that female physicians have a more patient-centered communication style, are more encouraging and reassuring, and have longer visits than male physicians.” And again, the issue here isn’t just concerning the patients, but also the wage gap that, according to this data, isn’t warranted. According to Dr. Anna Parks (University of California, San Francisco), “Despite evidence suggesting that female physicians may provide higher-quality care, some have argued that career interruptions for childrearing, higher rates of part-time employment, and greater tradeoffs between home and work responsibilities may compromise the quality of care provided by female physicians and justify higher salaried among male physicians.” So what exactly is this wage gap? According to one study, white, male doctors averaged an annual salary of $250K while white, female doctors averaged an annual salary of $163K. And, according to Parks, this isn’t justified as male doctors don’t focus as much on the patients as female doctors. So what are the potential solutions to this problem? Some researchers suggest that physicians be paid based on performance, as this would create pay by merit. That being said, this is difficult to implement as it’s almost impossible to define “good performance” in such a situational setting. For instance, would oncology doctors perform worse than pediatricians on average? Of course. That being said, these researchers from this study still believe that performance-based pay could be an answer to the wage gap. But a true correction to the problem would just be to pay men and women the same salaries for the same levels at the same jobs. In other words: equal pay for equal work. Jha also notes the importance of determining what the differences between male and female doctors’ patient results entail in order to teach doctors how best to perform their duties.