AJ Tutoring is not your average tutoring company! Behind all of our amazing tutors stand our amazing administrative and educational staff! We wanted to take the time to highlight one such individual this month, Elizabeth Emery. Our head blog writer sat down with Elizabeth to get to know her a little better.
Interviewer
Hi Elizabeth! Thank you for sitting down with me today! I know how busy you are. Can you share with me a little bit about your background and your current position here at AJ?
Elizabeth
Absolutely! I graduated from SFSU with a BS in Kinesiology (concentration in Exercise Science, emphasis on Fitness, Physical Activity, and Society) and a minor in Special Education. Currently I’m the Director of K-8 and private school entrance exams, I’m a team leader, and I’m an academic and test prep tutor!
Interviewer
So saying that you are busy was an understatement! How long have you been with AJ?
Elizabeth
Oh my gosh, I think 5 years!
Interviewer
Now this may seem like an off the wall question, but we all know what an impact teachers and tutors have on us. Can you share with me who your favorite teacher was growing up and why?
Elizabeth
This was a tough one for me…I had a lot of really great teachers (and a few I really didn’t like). The first one that comes to mind is my senior gov/econ teacher, Mr. McKenna. I definitely didn’t enjoy his class, but he held me accountable for things. He saw through my beat-the-system attitude about school, and he pushed me to actually work hard. He graded on effort and accuracy, and he was one of the first people to push me to my potential rather than letting me slack off or coast through things. I really didn’t like him for most of the year, but I grew to respect him and enjoy his classes once I started earning my keep.
Interviewer
It is wild that the teachers we may not necessarily like are the ones we respect the most and leave the biggest impact on us! Here is a fun question: what was your favorite book as a kid versus your favorite book now?
Elizabeth
I was a big reader, so I don’t think I could pick just one book from when I was a kid. Series are my favorite, so I read a lot of series so I didn’t have to relearn characters and settings. I was very much in the Harry Potter generation, so I’ll say that. I still read a lot, so the question doesn’t get any easier! Recently, I finished (and LOVED) In Order to Live by Yeonmi Park, and I’m in the middle of The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab. I’d recommend both!
Interviewer
Oh my gosh! I was a Harry Potter fan growing up as well. Here is a fun question, what is your favorite time of the year?
Elizabeth
Definitely summer. I’m a water baby and I love to travel, plus I like the switch up in our schedules. I actually think it’s a really fun time to tutor, too; you can get so much done in a really low pressure environment, and it sets everyone up for success for the school year!
Interviewer
Speaking of summer and tutoring, what is one piece of advice you would give our middle schoolers and high school students right now?
Elizabeth
Ask for help early. The longer you go, the worse it’s going to get, and the more frustrated you’ll be when you decide to finally ask. Also trust yourself.
Interviewer
That is definitely some advice I wish I had received growing up. Finally, what would you say to a parent who is currently considering AJ Tutoring as an option?
Elizabeth
Get them in the door and let us do the rest. Our jobs extend beyond content knowledge―we’re here to help with stress management, and feedback from a tutor is far easier for kids to receive than feedback from a parent.
Interviewer
Well, Elizabeth, those are all of my questions for now! I really appreciate you taking the time to share your advice for our current and future students!
