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. "