Learning Through Tutoring

Written by Maia Furer

A tool accessible to University of Hawaii at Hilo students throughout each semester, on-campus tutoring not only assists students with assignments, but employs them. One such student worker, Terri Pinyerd, serves the university tutoring center, Kilohana, as a writing tutor.

She explains, “I work one on one with students to help them create a working thesis, good topic,

and good overall structure.”

University of Hawaii at Hilo student and student employee, Terri Pinyerd. Photo courtesy of Terri Pinyerd.

Pinyerd applied for the writing tutor position as she felt it would be relevant to both her major and intended career path. After her undergraduate education, she plans to earn a Ph.D. in English and teach at the university level. Tutoring in writing provides her the opportunity to develop her own writing skills in addition to her teaching skills.

Thus far, the student employee has tutored five students—while this figure may not appear like a lot, the tutor knows that more students will require assistance as the semester progresses.

The English courses she has and is taking has contributed to her success as a tutor. She mentions, for instance, that English 324: Modern English Grammar & Usage has often provided her with the knowledge she needs to adequately answer students’ questions. “Also,” she adds, “I have an interpersonal communication course which helps me while working one on one with students”

Pinyerd does not just find herself employing what information she possesses, however. Working

as a writing tutor, she asserts, has allowed her to acquire fresh knowledge as well. For instance, she recently realized that good writing skills are vital to all academic disciplines. Altogether, she claims the Kilohana environment “provides a rich[], more hands-on learning experience.”

The tutor’s favorite part of her job is helping her fellow students sharpen their writing skills. Her reason for this choice: she does not only enrich others’ minds, but her own, too. Whenever she assists another student, Pinyerd learns a little more about her writing skills and shared issues that students face. All that she takes away from each tutoring session assists her in becoming a better and better tutor.

Regarding her academic career, which is equally, if not more important than work, Pinyerd feels her time as a writing tutor has benefited her current academic career. “I’ve been able to apply my knowledge,” she explains, “which [in turn] helps me remember key concepts easier.”

If you require tutoring, please visit Kilohana: The Academic Success Center. Writing tutors are on the first floor of Mookini Library, science tutors in Science and Technology Building (STB) room 117, and math tutors in College Hall (CH) room 5. For more information, visit the center’s webpage.

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