Why did I choose a butterfly logo for my tutoring business? I knew before I even began to design my logo, that I wanted a butterfly to feature somewhere. I felt very strongly about this. There are several reasons why I chose a butterfly as my logo - but the main reason is that it so aptly conveys the message "EVERY DIFFICULTY PROVIDES THE PERFECT OPPORTUNITY FOR GROWTH."
"In order to be able to become a butterfly, the caterpillar has to fall apart completely, decompose down to its very essence, devoid of any shape or consciousness. It literally dies. There is nothing left of it." Kirstin Vanlierde.
As a child, attending school was mainly a traumatic experience for me. I had some kind of learning difficulty and always felt 'different' to everyone else. I always struggled to 'fit in' and felt totally confused during most of the teaching moments in the classroom. I had very low self - esteem and felt of little value to the world. I had two 'Ah - ha' moments during my Primary School years. The first one was when I was given what seemed like an insurmountable amount of work to complete whilst we were to go away during term time. I was the child who could not concentrate or focus for more than ten minutes at a time. Daily homework was usually a full afternoon event, where my frequent distractions and breaks; would turn a half hours worth of homework into five hours of torture. Usually the work handed in at school the next day would be returned covered in red ink and scathing comments about needing to try harder! I remember so clearly making a decision that afternoon. I absolutely did not want to take work on holiday with me! I decided to knuckle down and get ALL the work completed in that afternoon. And I DID IT!! This was such a revelation to me. I realised that I COULD focus and that it was actually a decision that I needed to make. My second 'Ah - ha' moment came during my Grade 6 year. The beginning of this year found me in the B Stream, whilst all my friends (and the cool kids), were in the A Stream. I was devastated - and felt the usual feelings of being useless and of little value rise to the surface once again. I decided that I would work hard and that I would get myself into the A Stream one way or another. It was during this time that I discovered specific study techniques and exam skills that served me all the way through to the end of university. By the end of the first term of Grade 7 - I achieved my goal. I managed to work my way up to the A Stream and maintain a standard of being in the top 10 in that class throughout my High School years. Again - it was a revelation to me that the change had occurred due to my decision and my dedication to see through a goal. The unpleasant feelings I experienced were a catalyst for change. I am thankful that my difficulties provided me with the opportunity to grow. I am also thankful that I had all of these experiences, including all the difficulties I experienced at school. It is through my journey that I became passionate about helping children who struggle with school, learning, self-esteem, focus and cultivating a growth mindset.
Another reason that I chose the butterfly is that throughout a difficult period in my life, I would have butterflies appear around me nearly constantly. It was a reminder that change is always inevitable in this life, and that nothing lasts forever. I am grateful now for that difficult period, as I can clearly see how I became a stronger person through those difficulties. I chose to live my best life through that period.
A very important message I try to convey to parents is that any difficulty their child goes through - is an opportunity! On an academic level - many of the children who struggle at school, develop amazing qualities through this experience. They become the adults who 'think outside the box,' they are the adults who know that through dedication and perseverance they can achieve success, they are the adults who don't give up and who are not afraid to fail. They know what failure feels like, they know that they can and will survive if they fail and they know that through failure you can still achieve your goal (if you are willing to keep trying).
It is also important to realise that the child must make a decision to help themselves. As with my story - my change could only occur once I had made a decision. My parents and my teachers could not help me - until I was willing to help myself. All my students must take a certain amount of responsibility for their learning. No one can learn for them!
"If you are not willing to learn, no one can help you. If you are determined to learn, no one can stop you." Zig Ziglar
I absolutely love the fact that through my small business I get to foster amazing relationships with my students. I feel a genuine connection to each and every single one of them and work very hard to meet their needs - academically and emotionally. I understand the struggle it can be to focus. I understand the frustration of not being able to easily understand academic work. I understand the lack of self-confidence and self-worth felt when you feel that you are 'different.' I am dedicated to showing my students that they are all amazing in their own way and that through consistent effort, anything is possible!
"When it rains look for rainbows, when it's dark look for stars." Oscar Wilde
