Mentor Changing Lives

🌟 Erin Bell, APT of the Month: Meet the Mentor Changing Lives Beyond the Classroom

At A Team Tuition, we believe in celebrating the extraordinary work of our educators—not just for improving grades, but for the deep, lasting impact they make in students’ lives. This month, we’re thrilled to spotlight our APT of the Month, whose dedication to nurturing, mentoring, and inspiring students is nothing short of exceptional.

“Being named APT of the Month is an incredible honour,” they shared. “It reminds me how grateful I am to work for a company that values and supports its educators. This isn’t just recognition of my effort—it’s a celebration of the passion I pour into helping students grow.”

And grow they do. With a deep commitment to developing not just academic skills but confidence, motivation, and emotional resilience, Erin brings tutoring to life in a way that’s both impactful and personal.

💡 Beyond a Tutor—A True Mentor

For this standout tutor, mentoring is woven into every session. “I wasn’t always a strong student myself,” Erin explained. “But two incredible teachers changed my life. One nurtured my creativity; the other taught me how I learn best. Because of them, I strive to be that mentor for others.”

Many of their students face more than academic challenges—they deal with anxiety, low self-esteem, and the feeling that they don’t fit within the education system. With empathy and insight drawn from their own experiences as a neurodivergent learner, this APT meets students where they are and reminds them: “You’re not dumb—you’re brilliant. You just need the right tools.”

🎯 Creative Strategies That Stick

What truly sets this educator apart is their out-of-the-box approach to keeping students engaged and improving behaviour.

Take the “three lives” system, for instance—developed with a student who frequently interrupted sessions to ask how much time was left. Each time they asked, they’d lose a life. Three lives gone? A pre-agreed consequence like a break from iPad time would follow. “It helped them learn to self-regulate,” they explained, “and gave them ownership over their behaviour.”

There’s also the ever-popular “lucky dip” bag filled with incentives like “be the teacher for 5 minutes” or “extra drawing time”—small rewards that create big shifts in motivation.

These tailored strategies have helped countless students not only re-engage with their learning but take pride in their progress.

💬 One Student, One Transformation

One story stands out. “I’ve worked with a Year 6 student since mid-Year 5. She came to me with severe anxiety and low confidence after years of bullying, and a reading level far below standard. Before anything academic, we focused on building trust.”

Bit by bit, her confidence grew. She tackled new reading goals, found books she loved, and started checking books out from the library on her own. “Now, she’s not only reading fluently—she’s leading her own learning journey,” they said. “It’s transformations like these that remind me why I do what I do.”

👏 Living the INSPIRE Values

Of all A Team Tuition’s INSPIRE values, Nurture resonates most strongly. “When students feel safe and supported, they’re more open to learning. I don’t just work with students—I work with their families. Together, we create a shared path to progress.”

Session feedback is sent to parents consistently, and collaboration with their Personal Student Mentor (PSM) ensures no student’s journey is left to chance.

🧠 From Student to Scholar

This educator doesn’t just preach a love of learning—they live it. Having achieved significant personal academic success, their own journey helps them connect deeply with their students. “I make it a point to celebrate small wins with my students. Recognition builds confidence, and confidence fuels achievement.”

💬 Words of Wisdom

So, what advice would they give to other Academic Personal Trainers?

“Be yourself. Connection comes before content. Your students don’t need a perfect tutor—they need someone who gets them. The more you love what you do, the more your students will love learning with you.”

And what’s the passion that drives it all?

“Helping students fall in love with learning. Whether it’s a high score on Mathletics or a sticker from school, those moments—where pride shines through their smile—that’s what it’s all about.”

🎉 Congratulations to our APT of the Month! Your dedication, creativity, and heart make an extraordinary impact—and we’re so lucky to have you on the team.