For University of the Ozarks junior Madi Wasson, tutoring fellow students through the Jones Learning Center has become more than a way to help others succeed. Over the past two years, the experience has also strengthened her own academic skills and given her valuable preparation for a future career in the classroom.
An English major from St. Paul, Ark., Wasson plans to become a high school English teacher and theatre director. With minors in education and psychology, she said working one-on-one with students has given her an early glimpse into the rewards and challenges of teaching.
“Being a tutor has not only been very rewarding, but I’ve been really surprised how much it has helped me in my own studies,” she said. “When you’re trying to explain something to someone, you have to make sure you know the subject as well as possible, and that’s helped me in my classes. I’ve also learned patience and how to better explain things to others. Those are the type of lessons that will serve me well as a future teacher.”
Wasson began working in the JLC writing lab as a sophomore and has tutored students in subjects ranging from literature and academic writing to theatre-related courses. Along the way, she has discovered that helping others work through academic challenges has reinforced many of the same skills she will need as an educator.
“Tutoring has definitely helped me come out of my shell more and to be more open to meeting and talking to people,” Wasson said. “Working with students from different backgrounds and with various learning differences has also helped me become more understanding and more patient to those who have learning challenges. I think it’s helped me become a better teacher and a better person.”
One area Wasson particularly enjoys is helping students navigate the research and writing process, including finding credible sources, references and citations for academic papers. She also helps students become more comfortable with the various writing and citation styles required in their courses.
“I like to tell them that they don’t have to rely on AI and that there’s all sort of resources and tools out there to help them,” she said. “I also work with a lot of students on different writing styles, such as APA, MLA or Chicago styles, depending on the class they’re in. It’s always nice to see the relief on their faces when they realize that it’s not as difficult as they thought and that they can do it.”
During her tutoring sessions, Wasson has found herself inadvertently in the role of counselor and mentor to freshmen students trying to navigate the early weeks of college life.
“I was working with one freshman girl and she was really struggling; she wasn’t sure she wanted to stay in school,” Wasson said. “I just tried to explain to her that the first few weeks are always tough, and that we’ve all been in her shoes. I told her that I felt the exact same way when I was a freshman and that it gets better as you meet more people and start building relationships on campus. I think she appreciated hearing those things.”
Wasson, whose younger sister, Kate, is a freshman at Ozarks, said working with JLC students has made her college experience even more rewarding.
“To know that I’m playing even a small role in a student’s success in college makes me feel really good,” she said. “The JLC is a great program and it is helping students who might not have had an opportunity of going to college actually get a college degree. I’m proud to be a part of that program.”
Topics: JLC