Online support keeps students on track
Online tutor Sophie Gleitzman says one student recently sought her support in the hope she could continue studying as she dealt with personal issues.
It was Gleitzman’s job to connect the student with assistance such as confidential counselling and academic support. It ultimately proved effective.
‘‘She finished the subject and sent me a message saying, ‘I wouldn’t have got through that without all of those supportive interventions, so thank you’. That felt great.’’
Gleitzman, an online academic tutor at Endeavour College of Natural Health, says her job is all about connecting with her students and guiding them through their online learning. Instead of delivering course content, she functions as a facilitator.
She responds to messages online, fields questions and posts important news to forums.
‘‘For students starting out, it’s quite a long pathway of study that’s going to challenge them.
‘‘I think I have found that there’s a lot of anxiety and a lot of self-doubt, so I really enjoy being able to reassure these students and build confidence in them that they’re on the right path.
‘‘I get really lovely feedback from that aspect of the role too, which shows me I’m on the right path myself.’’
Gleitzman, a qualified naturopath, didn’t envision this role for herself at the beginning of her naturopathy career. But she’s part of a large group of health practitioners who have used their backgrounds in health and wellness to join the education sector.
Endeavour employs 200 staff members and up 300 contractors to teach across its six campuses in Australia. It seeks qualified people who have clinical experience in public health, complementary medicine, allied health and the wellbeing industry.
Gleitzman has a range of qualifications including a bachelor of communications and a bachelor of health science and she has previously worked in naturopathy within a number of companies including the Centre of Health Sydney, Heathlands Nutrition Centre and Taste Organic.
Today, she also works as a naturopath at West Street Wellbeing but she is on maternity leave. She says she’s excited about what’s ahead. ‘‘There are so many opportunities and possibilities in this career overall.
‘‘It’s very exciting and self-directed. It’s been a very unexpected pathway but it all makes perfect sense now.’’
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