Chenel Beytell started her small business, Beytell’s Tutoring, when her job fell victim to the dreaded Covid-19 pandemic and the resulting lockdown.
“I initially wanted to become a forensic pathologist but learned early on that I don’t have the stomach for it,” she says. “So, I pivoted and decided to become a teacher instead.”
“I was studying foundation phase education when the pandemic broke out.”
“Children weren’t attending school, and I was contacted by parents asking if I would be willing to help with tutoring.
“This was the beginning of an idea that has now come full circle, having turned into a professional and respected local business.”
She officially launched in August 2020 with two learners, and today, six years later, has about 40 learners and seven members on her team.
“I travel at least 1 500km per month to learners in Roodepoort, Randburg, Bromhof, and Fourways, and I love every minute of it.”
Chenel, who also carries the distinction of being the first daughter on her father’s side of the family in 50 years, swells with pride when she speaks of her business.
“It means so much to me, partly because of the very real and tangible difference my work makes in the lives of the learners under my tutelage, but it is also because it is something I built from the ground up on my own.
“All I had was a plan and a passion, and to see what it has grown into is humbling.
“I’ve learned so much on this journey,” she adds.
She mentions that she had to develop people skills since she is a bit of an introvert.
“I get to deal with so many different people and personalities, and this has taught me how to more accurately identify what approach will work best with different children.
“Over the past six years, we have managed to do so much, including developing our own reading materials, workbooks and questionnaires, all aligned with the various curricula, including CAPS, Cambridge, and IEB.”
Chenel says her methods, developed step by step over the past six years, have proven to be extremely effective.
“We see an almost immediate improvement in the school marks of our learners,” she says.
“Each child is assessed on his or her own merit, which allows us to identify a point from which we can build the foundation, address the relevant gaps, and begin the journey toward excelling rather than just passing.”
Her plans for the future are simple: Continue growing and changing the lives of more children.
“Excelling in school has such far-reaching consequences for them,” she says. “They become happier overall and so much more confident in themselves and their abilities.
“This change in my learners is likely the biggest contributor to tutoring becoming my passion in life, which ties in perfectly with my personal motto: You are the hardest leader to lead,” she concludes.
For more information on Beytell’s Tutoring and their services, contact Chenel on 073 293 1379.
