Why I Teach With My Heart

People often ask me why I care so deeply about my students.
Why I notice the small things.
Why confidence matters just as much to me as progress.

The answer is simple, but it runs deep.

Over the years, I’ve taught many children and each one arrives with their own story. Some come in full of confidence. Others are still finding their footing. Some find learning easy. Others carry worries, self-doubt, or experiences that make school feel harder than it should.

Every child brings more than just a learning level into the room.
They bring emotions, histories, hopes and fears.
And every single one of them deserves to be met with care.

I’ve watched children grow from tiny Reception pupils into thoughtful, resilient learners. I’ve seen them face challenges that go far beyond spelling tests or handwriting. I’ve seen them persevere through anxiety, change and moments of overwhelm. I’ve watched them learn how to calm themselves, keep going and begin to believe in their own abilities.

Those moments shape how I teach.

But the roots of my teaching go back even further than the classroom.

My parents taught me the power of love, kindness and responsibility. They taught me that how you make people feel matters. That showing up, caring deeply and doing the right thing even when it’s hard is a legacy worth carrying forward.

They modelled patience, compassion and quiet strength long before I ever stood at the front of a classroom. And now, every day, I carry that love and those values into my teaching. In the way I speak to children. In the way I protect their confidence. In the way I treat families with respect and care.

I know what I wanted in a teacher as a child.
I know what I wanted in a teacher as a parent.
And now, I know what is needed from me as a teacher.

As a child, I wanted to feel safe. I wanted to feel noticed, understood and accepted for who I was, not rushed or overlooked. I wanted a teacher who saw the quiet effort, the emotions beneath the surface and the courage it took just to show up some days.

As a parent, I want my child to be taught by someone who genuinely cares. Someone who protects their confidence, celebrates progress in all its forms and understands that learning and well-being cannot be separated. I want a teacher who sees my child as a whole person, not just a result.

And as a teacher, I now understand the responsibility that comes with that trust.

Children don’t just need lessons.
They need connection.
They need consistency.
They need calm, patient adults who believe in them, especially when they struggle to believe in themselves.

This philosophy sits at the heart of everything I do at Joseph Tutors. Whether I’m teaching phonics, reading, writing, my focus is always the same: building confidence, reducing pressure and helping children feel safe, capable and proud of themselves as learners.

Teaching has never been about ticking boxes for me. It’s about building trust, nurturing resilience and creating an environment where children feel supported enough to try, make mistakes and grow.

This is why I teach with my heart.

It’s how I honour my parents’ love and values.
And it’s how I show up for my students, every single day.

If you’re reading this and thinking, this is the kind of teacher I want for my child, then you’ve understood my approach perfectly. I’d love to connect.