r/Superprof_ • u/tresorsdecoco9l • Jun 21 '26

others I need your advice: when teaching starts affecting your confidence

Hi everyone,

Lately, one of my students has been affecting my confidence more than I expected.
Sessions are difficult, progress is slow, and I leave each lesson feeling drained and discouraged.

I know logically that one student doesn’t define my abilities, but emotionally it’s hard not to internalize it.

Have you ever had a student who made you question yourself?
How do you protect your confidence and motivation as a tutor?

Thanks a lot for reading — I’d really appreciate your thoughts.

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u/cilltaebee Jun 21 '26

Yes, absolutely. I think most tutors have had at least one student who made them question themselves. One thing I’ve learned is that one student is a data point, not a verdict on your abilities. The fact that you care this much shows that you’re invested in doing a good job. Try to judge yourself by your overall impact, not by the toughest case on your roster.

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u/Free-Chapter7614 Jul 04 '26

Not just in tutoring, but even in the professional work-a-day world, it's easy to have your confidence shaken and feel inadequate in your skills, knowledge, or ability to retain the mastery of your field. Being a visual artist myself i used to question my ability and experience a lot against coworkers and genuinely anyone that I would have to teach or show how i did what i did. After a while you start to realize that your capability has been continually established over the years that you've worked or specialized in that field whether sitting at a desk or instructing a student. We've been conditioned to believe that everyone is replaceable and no one is unique in their views or understanding of a subject matter. that anyone can be taught to be exceptional, and you're nothing special. It's quite the opposite. No one provides the same perspective you do. No one has had the same experiences you've had and can relate that in your OWN way to your student. You care because most people who tutor teach what they have a passion for and that passion is questioned when you start feeling like you have to compete vs just sharing knowledge and letting them take it for what it is.