Purpose: Strong relationships between students and tutors are grounded in five key pillars: Respect, Trust, Confidence, Motivation, and Self-Awareness. Use the pillars as foundational elements to create a positive, productive tutoring experience and emulate the examples of strong practice.
| Pillar | Definition | Example of Strong Practice |
| Respect | Creating a learning environment where students feel valued, heard, and guided by fair and consistent expectations. | Tutors consistently uphold clear expectations while showing appreciation for students’ time and effort. Students respond by actively engaging and following established routines. |
| Trust | Building a reliable and consistent relationship in which students feel emotionally and academically safe. | Tutors follow through on their commitments, use respectful language, and model consistency—even in challenging moments—creating a safe space for student growth. |
| Confidence | Encouraging students to take academic risks and believe in their ability to learn and succeed. | Tutors regularly express belief in students’ abilities and set high expectations. They support students through challenges, celebrating progress and persistence. |
| Motivation | Inspiring students to engage with content by connecting it to their interests, goals, and real-life relevance. | Tutors personalize learning by relating session content to students’ interests and short- and long-term goals, helping students see the value in their learning. |
| Self-Awareness | Helping students recognize their strengths and areas for growth while fostering reflection and accountability. | Tutors openly discuss students’ progress constructively, helping them set and monitor goals while celebrating effort and achievement. |