Meet Our Tutors: Emily
Emily spent years working in education – first as an elementary school teacher, then in special education, and eventually as a preschool administrator. When she decided to step back from full-time work to spend more time with her kids, she started looking for something flexible that would let her put her English background to good use.
After discovering Knowadays through a Google search, she trained as a professional proofreader and editor. And, in time, became one of the tutors who guides new learners through that same journey.
Read on to find out how Emily’s background in teaching and English shaped her approach to tutoring, what she loves most about working with learners, and what she’d say to anyone thinking about taking the leap.
Tell us a bit about yourself. Where are you based, and what does your background look like?
My name is Emily, and I’m based in Hoboken, NJ. I majored in English literature at Binghamton University in upstate NY, and I went into teaching after graduating. I went on to get my MA in special education and taught elementary school for five years. After that, I went into preschool education and eventually became an administrator at a small private preschool. Once I had kids myself, I started looking into changing careers to be able to stay home more and have a more flexible schedule.
How did you end up working in proofreading or editing? What drew you to it in the first place?
I came across Knowadays (then Proofreading Academy) after a Google search. I knew some friends and friends of friends who were proofreaders, and it was something I was always interested in. After considering several options, I finally landed on pursuing proofreading as a career, and I was very intrigued by the work guarantee with Proofed.
What does your working life look like today?
I feel very fortunate that I get to work from home and structure my day around my kids’ school and activities. In addition to my tutor role, I enjoy taking on interesting projects with Proofed.
When did tutoring come into the picture, and what made you want to do it?
I was so excited to get an email about an opportunity to apply as a tutor, and I began working on my application right away! I was so impressed with the experience I had with my own tutors, and so of course I was interested in possibly becoming one myself! I wanted to help people start their own journeys, and I think it’s a great combo of my background in English and education.
What do you enjoy most about working with learners?
I have to say my favorite part about working with learners is the excitement when they move on to Proofed (if that was their goal). I love seeing the results of their hard work. I also enjoy speaking to learners one-on-one about their next steps.
What does the support you offer learners look like day-to-day?
Reviewing questions, speaking to them one-on-one, helping with technical issues, and generally providing support for whatever they need!
How do you typically approach giving feedback, and what do you think learners value most about it?
I like to think of feedback as a positive thing, as it helps them improve. For example, I’ve seen learners dramatically improve their scores after getting more practice and thoughtfully implementing feedback. It’s never meant as a critique; this is always a learning process and we are all always still learning and growing in every new venture.
What changes do you see or hear about in learners by the end of a course?
They are more confident and can really see themselves in this line of work.
Is there anything you wish you’d known when you were starting out in editorial work?
That it’s ok to ask questions – you don’t have to be an expert in everything right away.
What would you say to someone who’s thinking about taking a course but isn’t quite sure yet?
It’s always worth your time to improve your skills – make the leap! Once you try the free lessons, you’ll never look back. The support you’ll receive on the course is unmatched anywhere else.
What do you like to do when you’re not working? (Any recent reads or other recommendations welcome!)
I love to watch movies, spend time outside (weather permitting), and try new coffee shops in my town. I also like to read and re-read my favorite books!
Learn with Knowadays
Today, Emily works from home, balancing freelance work with Proofed alongside her role as a Knowadays tutor. For her, tutoring is a natural extension of everything she’s done before – a way to bring her love of English and years of teaching experience together in one role.
Are you thinking about starting your own proofreading and editing journey? Our Becoming A Proofreader and Becoming An Editor courses are designed to take you from complete beginner to trained professional. They are completely self-paced, and come with one-on-one support from tutors who’ve been exactly where you are now. Plus, you can buy both courses as a bundle to save 15%.
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