Tutor of the Week: Kara Steinman

Our next Tutor of the Week is Kara Steinman, a junior majoring in pre-occupational therapy, who is set to enter SVSU's Master of Science in Occupational Therapy (MSOT) program this spring.

Kara Steinman

"Working as a tutor at SVSU’s Writing Center has led to more personal and professional growth than I could have ever imagined. It’s crazy to see how much more confident and comfortable I am in sessions since those first uncertain days of training and tutoring on my own. Knowing that I am able to encourage students to become the best writers they can and positively impact students’ perceptions of their writing skills has to be one of the most rewarding aspects of this job. When I first started working at the Center, as a student majoring in pre-occupational therapy, I figured I could only be of assistance to students working on papers within the health science domain or those needing help with APA formatting. However, as I’ve settled into this position, I’ve learned to adapt my tutoring style for each session. Every student is completely unique and I’m so proud to be a part of such an accepting and diverse work environment. I am enormously grateful for the experiences that working as a tutor has presented and I truly appreciate the relationships I’ve formed during my time at the Center so far.

"Aside from tutoring at the Writing Center, I also work as a direct care giver at an adult foster care facility. I’ve formed some great relationships with the residents there and always look forward to seeing them when I work on the weekends! Additionally, I was recently accepted into SVSU’s Master of Science in Occupational Therapy (MSOT) program, and I couldn’t be more excited about starting this journey in the spring. While this program will quickly begin to consume every ounce of my existence, I am determined to still find time for the things that make life a little better – trips and outings with my best friends, going home for some quality pet bonding, watching episodes of The Office and Friends for the millionth time, and working my frustrations out at the gym.

Tutor of the Week: Caroline Sawatzki

Our next Tutor of the Week is Caroline Sawatzki, a second-year electrical engineering major.

Caroline Sawatzki

"When I came to SVSU, I didn’t have a home on campus. I transferred here after completing my associate’s degree in science at Delta College. I barely knew anyone. As an introvert, my usual method of making friends was waiting for an extrovert to “adopt” me into their world. Working at the Writing Center offered me a home and friends to go along with it. The tutors here are so kind, thoughtful, and generous. As the only engineering major in the writing center, I thought I would be out of place among my fellow tutors. However, our similarities in personality, compassion, and love for writing unite us. I feel welcome in a community of both introverts and extroverts who genuinely care about one another and about the students they serve.

"When I applied at the Writing Center, I was nervous. All I had to offer was (what I assumed to be) a strong portfolio of academic essays and an appreciation for the art and science of writing. I had never taught anyone anything before. I thought that helping people write meant to point out and correct the mistakes that they made. The interview seemed like a disaster. I felt like a failure. Despite my many errors, I was offered the job. From the interview, I learned that mistakes are part of the process. This applies to writing as well. If you have a perfect piece every time, you don’t learn anything from it.

"Through the Writing Center, I have had the opportunity to meet and interact with so many students from diverse backgrounds and relate to them through the medium of writing. It has been such a personally enriching experience. I am one of the lucky young adults to have a job that gives me great pride as I assist students who come in with a rough draft, or maybe no draft at all, and leave with a full outline and a sense of direction for their paper.

"Through the Center, I also had the opportunity to serve students as an international tutor in Tokushima, Japan, at Shikoku University. There, I engaged Japanese students studying English as a Second Language by helping to set up an embedded writing center where they could seek help with their English writing, reading, and grammar concerns. It was the most rewarding experience of my lifetime. My experience as an international student at Shikoku University, attempting to navigate despite my struggles with speaking Japanese, inspired me to return to SVSU and help international students navigate here. I became a member of the SVSU Friends and Family Program and the International Student Club and helped to host an election watch party in November, where I answered questions from international students about the American political process and helped facilitate the Writing Center’s “Dear Future President” campaign, which allowed students to write their concerns on postcards that would be mailed to the next President of the United States. I think it is a very powerful thing to feel that you have a voice in the politics of the country in which you reside, even if you can’t vote.

"One of the most fulfilling aspects of my job is the opportunity to relate to my fellow students through my interests. Some of my sessions begin by briefly discussing a video game (I am an avid gamer), my dogs and cats, excellent novels, or what was on NPR that morning. (My favorite NPR show is Wait! Wait! Don’t Tell Me. I am a giant trivia nerd whose favorite TV show is Jeopardy.) Even as an introvert, I love the opportunity to get a glimpse into the lives of the students I work with. My only hope is that they leave our session with something added to their life: an appreciation of and a sense of confidence in their writing." 

Tutor of the Week: Renee Okenka

Our next Tutor of the Week is Renee Okenka, an English secondary education junior with a minor in English as a Second Language.

Renee Okenka

"Being a Writing Center tutor has been more fulfilling than I ever could have imagined. When I first came to the Center with my first college essay, I was intimidated and unconfident in my writing. After my first session, however, I knew that I wanted to work at the Writing Center one day to make other unconfident writers feel good about their projects and to combine my two passions of English and education. After being hired this past fall, my perceptions of the Writing Center have broadened dramatically. I found out that our center is involved in the community, conducts research, and has international connections. In just two semesters, I have presented at a regional writing center conference and have received the opportunity to work in a writing center in Tokushima, Japan, this upcoming summer. And of course, the tutorial sessions that I have conducted have taught me so much about writing and the world in general. As an English as a Second Language minor, I have had the opportunity to work one-on-one with international students and put some of the theory I’ve studied to practice. I have also learned different writing strategies across different disciplines and become a better writer myself.

"Along with working in the Writing Center, I’m also a Resident Assistant in the First Year Suites and a Club Red tour guide. In the past few years, I’ve become somewhat of a workaholic to get through college, so when I do have free time, I typically end up sleeping or watching How I Met Your Mother, New Girl, The Office, or Parks and Rec on Netflix. I enjoy aquariums, nature, dogs, and food too much and would love to spend the rest of my life traveling the world with my dog. "

Tutor of the Week: Sam Geffert

Our next Tutor of the Week is Sam Geffert, a secondary education junior with an English concentration and minors in Japanese and ESL.

Sam Geffert

"Before I applied to work as a tutor, I thought that the Writing Center was more of an editing center. After working in the center for two semesters, my perceptions of writing and tutoring have changed drastically. I have learned how to collaborate with students to improve their ability to write rather than simply improving their writing itself. Becoming a tutor has made me become more passionate about the process of writing papers and more excited to teach English at the secondary level. My favorite part of being a tutor is working with international students. I appreciate the opportunity to apply my understanding of TESOL theory to sessions in the Writing Center. More importantly, I love to see the way different cultures respond to the same writing assignment. The opportunity to learn about cultural differences makes me understand my own life and beliefs through new perspectives. It reminds me that we are all more similar than we are different, and we all have something important to share.

"Along with my work in the Writing Center, I privately tutor Japanese and work in a greenhouse over the summer. I am currently preparing to travel to Tokushima, Japan, to tutor English students in Shikoku University’s Writing Center. If money and reality weren’t an issue, I would spend my time traveling and learning new languages. Outside of work, I enjoy napping outside, reading in bed, and rollerblading with my dog. I also enjoy gardening, creative writing, and watching Ancient Aliens on the History channel. In the future, I want to teach English at the secondary level and work with English as a Second Language students."

Tutor of the Week: Sara Houser

Our next Tutor of the Week is Sara Houser, an Elementary Education and English Language Arts senior seeking a minor endorsement in Teaching English as a Second Language.

Sara Houser

"I started working as a tutor in the Writing Center almost three years ago, just after transferring to SVSU. Even before transferring here, I knew that I wanted to work in the Writing Center. I wanted to combine my two passions – teaching and writing – and I knew that this would be the best place to do so, even though I struggled with confidence in my own writing. Working here has allowed me to do this and so much more. Because of my experiences in the writing center, and my collaboration with students and faculty, I have become a better researcher, writer, listener, teacher, and individual, and I have become exponentially more confident in my writing and teaching abilities. I have been involved in research projects, presented my own research at a handful of conferences from the state to international level, facilitated a creative writing camp for middle and high schoolers, and have even presented workshops to prepare future educators for the College of Education Professional Readiness Exam during my time here. I have been challenged to become a better writer and thinker by my peers, both students and other tutors, and continue to push myself in this regard each minute I spend in the writing center. I have learned how to genuinely listen to the concerns of others, and use my passion for teaching to help them, and myself, grow.

"When I am not in the center, I am usually writing lessons for the third grade students I am working with this semester, planning my future classroom, or gathering materials for the elementary students I privately tutor. I spend most of my time ‘in the field’ teaching quirky third graders about mathematics and reading, or preparing for that fieldwork by writing lesson plans and reflections on my teaching practice. My goal is to teach elementary level English language learners here in Michigan after student teaching in the U.S and Costa Rica this upcoming fall. I am currently involved in the College of Education Leadership team, the student chapter of the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development, and Active Minds. In my free time, I like to play video games with my friends, exercise, and spend time walking my puppy Akira while daydreaming about my upcoming (but still quite far off) wedding."

Tutor of the Week: Ky Wojciechowski

Our next Tutor of the Week is Kylie ("Ky") Wojciechowski, a technical writing super senior with a minor in philosophy.

Ky Wojciechowski (Photo by Jamie Loubert)

"Hello! I want to begin by talking a bit about my work at the SVSU Writing Center and then myself – just to humanize the tutor who may one day be sitting across from you.

"Since beginning my work at the SVSU Writing Center in January 2013, I’ve completed more than 975 tutorial sessions – it’s my goal to complete 1,000 before I graduate with my bachelor’s degree in May. I had the uncommon opportunity to begin working at the SVSU Writing Center as a second-semester freshman, so there have been only 15 weeks out of the past 4 1/2 years where the Writing Center was not part of my daily life and thoughts. At some points along that timeline, it would be fair to posit that the Writing Center was my life; it seemed all-encompassing and, in actuality, probably was. From one of my first independent tutorial sessions that lasted 3 hours and required “rescuing” from a senior tutor to the dozen or so conference presentations I’ve delivered based on my research endeavors in venues across the country, from playing a small role in launching Michigan’s first Community Writing Center to developing a web-based resource about the changes made in the eighth edition of MLA that gained traction with instructors at SVSU and other universities around the state, from learning from senior and mentor tutors and later serving in those leadership roles myself, I’ve had an array of valuable experiences with the Writing Center, not the mention those from tutorial sessions themselves. Each student I work with teaches me something new, and – not to be cheesy, but – I can only hope to teach each of them something, too, in our conversations.

"Outside my work at the Center, I also serve as web editor of The Valley Vanguard (formerly a reporter, news editor, and editor-in-chief), the president of the Association of Professional & Technical Writers, a junior researcher in the SVSU Center for Usability Studies and Universal Design, and an information management co-op at The Dow Chemical Company. In the past, I was a member of the Leopold J. Kantzler Fellowship and the 16th class of the Roberts Fellowship. Beyond that (and less formally), I like watching the Food Network, listening to podcasts – Generation Why, Thinking Sideways, Sword & Scale, Stuff You Should Know, Dan Carlin’s Hardcore History, UXpod, 99% Invisible, the Peripheral, Serial, and so on – and playing with my dogs: a 9-year-old Boxer named Chance and a 4-year-old Shiba Inu/Labrador mix named Daffodil."

Tutor of the Week: Madison Martin

Our next Tutor of the Week is Madison Martin, an English literature and creative writing major with a theatre minor.

Madison Martin

"When I first heard that there was a Writing Center on campus way back in my freshman year, I knew I wanted to work there. It has been one of the most rewarding decisions I have ever made. The work we do at the Writing Center not only allows us to collaborate with students that we wouldn’t otherwise be able to interact with, but it improves our own writing because we get to experience so many different types and styles, and that’s my favorite thing about being a tutor. Whenever I get to read someone else’s stories and hear their voice coming through in their writing, it reminds me all over again why I applied to work here. In addition to giving me the chance to work with students will diverse backgrounds in many fields, the Writing Center has given me so many more opportunities, whether it’s teaching creative writing to high schoolers, or researching data on our writing center – there are always ways go get involved, which makes it so much more than a job.

"During my time not spent at the Writing Center, I am in English classes (so many English classes) as a literature and creative writing major with a theatre minor. I’m not entirely sure what my future holds for me, but it’ll probably be something involving English and a lot of Netflix. In my free time, I try to force creative ideas out of my head and put them on paper, as well as watch lots of television. Right now I am binge-watching Hell’s Kitchen because Gordon Ramsey yelling is kind of hilarious. For a little more culture in my life, I love musicals. Like… love them. I have been able to see Wicked live twice, as well as The Book of Mormon, Catch Me if You Can, Newsies, and Legally Blonde, and all of them were amazing. I can also be found obsessing over Kate McKinnon because, come on, she’s amazing."

Tutor of the Week: Bria Rivet

Our next Tutor of the Week is Bria Rivet, an English literature and creative writing major.

Bria Rivet

"Being a Writing Center tutor has taught me so much more than I ever could have hoped and has been such a fulfilling experience for me. I would say that the primary goal of my Writing Center sessions is to make writers feel competent with their own voice. I believe that often, the objective expectations for academic writing can be so exclusive to different voices. I want everyone who writes to know that the way that they communicate with the world is never incorrect. Instead, at the Writing Center, we try to encourage the practice of code-switching – working outside your usual language style to fit a style needed for a certain purpose. This doesn’t shut down different voices, but instead can incorporate a wider range and encourage diversity of thought.

"As a student, I am a literature and creative writing senior with a psychology minor. I’m trying to diversify my writing palate as I challenge myself with more complex literature analyses and work on different genres of creative pieces. The Writing Center helps me continually challenge my own process as I see writers come in with such a wide range of voices and experiences. It’s a job that gives back, and I am very honored to have met all of the people I’ve worked with."

Tutor of the Week: Josh Atkins

Our next Tutor of the Week is Josh Atkins, an English literature and creative writing major.

Josh Atkins

"Ever since I was a little kid, writing and reading have been my two primary passions – having the opportunity to make a career out of what I love to do is great! When I discovered that the Writing Center would help me apply what I love to do in real-time, I had to take advantage of the opportunity. There’s nothing more engaging about my days on campus than being able to have meaningful conversations about people’s ideas and figuring out ways to transfer those ideas onto paper. Working at the Writing Center has also allowed me to take advantage of so many great opportunities – traveling the country, teaching creative writing workshops, and making connections with our off-campus community.

"In my free time, which seems to be limited lately, I really enjoy listening to new music – lately, I’ve had the Menzingers’s and Run the Jewels’s new albums on solid rotation. My favorite bands include Blink-182 (who I’ve seen twice, with Tom), The Wonder Years (who I’ve seen once), and Metallica (who I have yet to see; at the rate they’re going, however, they’ll be around another 50 years. Aside from that, I really enjoy going out with friends on the weekends when I can – you may find me on Hamilton street I you’re lucky. "

Tutor of the Week: Zach Vega

Our next Tutor of the Week is Zach Vega, a political science major with a minor in Spanish.

Zach Vega (far right)

"I love tutoring at the Writing Center because it gives me the chance to learn from people in other majors and from other countries. I'm amazed with the work that my peers in other disciplines are working on and I'm glad that I have the chance to help them make that work even better. I'm in my last semester at SVSU and I'm definitely going to miss this part of my experience here. In my spare time, I enjoy everything that takes me out of my house, including camping, hiking, and going to concerts."

Tutor of the Week: Riley Millard

Our next Tutor of the Week is Riley Millard, a public administration major with minors in history and public history.

Riley Millard

"Being in the political science and history fields has led to many writing assignments that I could imagine most would label as 'boring' or 'absolutely, mind-numbingly terrible' -- which, in all honesty, isn’t too far off from the truth. However, I find myself enjoying these assignments more and more as time goes on. There’s nothing like sitting down with a 250 page transcript of a Senate bill and condensing it into a 10 page brief, or taking three primary sources from 1670 and comparing them for like themes during the Reformation. What started out as a chore, required to endure to make it through my class load, as ended up a passion.

"Granted, working at the Writing Center really helped me work through understanding the importance behind the work that we as individuals do when we write. For myself, it was this understanding that helped me decide exactly what I wanted to do when I graduated. I feel as if writing on a topic, or in a field, really helps you find out exactly what your are going to be encountering in a career. That all being said, my favorite part about working as a writing tutor is when I can sit down with someone that is clearly very passionate about a topic, but not as comfortable with their ability to write on that topic, and help them put ideas onto paper and work through what they want to say. Providing students a service that builds confidence which carries over is one of the best things I have been a part of at SVSU."

Tutor of the Week: Victoria Phelps

We're bringing this thing back! Each week, our Tutor of the Week will contribute a blog post about themselves and writing.

Up first is Victoria Phelps, a literature major with minors in history and creative writing.

Victoria Phelps

"A lot of the papers that I write are analytical in nature. When I have to write an analysis or argumentative paper, I always try to approach it from a unique angle--either through the lens of a particular theory or through a not-often-discussed subject matter or both. I think we all come from different backgrounds and have different personalities, so if you take some of the interests and perspectives that are important to you and apply them to how you look through things like an event from history or a piece of literature, you'll come up with something that's more unique to you. 

"Essentially, I like to encourage people to write what they want to write about. Oftentimes we're so concerned with what our professors want us to say that we forget that our own opinions are also valuable, also valid. So your professor may have one or two interpretations of a piece of literature or a film or history, etc., and it may be persuasive, but that doesn't mean it's the only interpretation. If you see an alternative way to read something, follow that path until you either reach an impasse or you realize its grand destination. It can be a bit risky, but if you start exploring the land early on, you should still have time to retrace some steps. I'm under the impression, too, that a lot of professors like papers that set themselves apart from the rest of the pile. 

"Most importantly, though, I find that if you actually care about your interpretation and you're genuinely interested in it, you'll take the time to write a better, more passionate paper. Your voice is stronger, your thesis is more innovative, and your support is well-articulated because you understand it better than you might if you just repeated the professor's reading. In short, trust yourself and jump into an analysis that hasn't yet been explored. Cheesy as it sounds, you can learn more about yourself and your own interests in the process."