Tutor Success Stories: Guinevere Cote

When Guinevere Cote transferred to the University of Maine at Orono, she knew two things for certain: she wanted to teach, and she needed a job that could fit around her field experiences.

As an education major, unpaid internships were a given. What wasn’t guaranteed was the chance to build relevant, paid experience while still in school. That opportunity came through a student services email introducing her to Knack.

Since joining as a peer tutor, Guin has found more than just flexibility. She’s found a supportive platform that affirms her skills, connects her with fellow learners, and gives her a meaningful way to deepen her teaching practice while earning income. For Guin, tutoring isn’t a side job—it’s an extension of her purpose.

Knack: Tell us about yourself!

Guin: You can call me Guin—it's easier than my full name! I studied at Farmington and Orono in the UMaine system under secondary education. I'm aiming to become a full-time social studies teacher at the middle or high school level soon.

Knack: How did you hear about Knack and why did you decide to become a tutor?

Guin: I first encountered Knack through employment advertising in student services emails from Orono. I had recently transferred from Farmington. I’d had a good semester with my grades, and I was actively in unpaid internships because education majors have to complete field experiences to get a certain number of hours for prerequisites. I didn’t have a way to maintain consistent employment due to my school schedule and those experiences. So, Knack was a great way for me to find out about jobs that fit my circumstances.

Knack: Have you ever tutored before Knack?

Guin: Before Knack, I worked in volunteer programs with children, helping them with things like assisted reading, but I never had a paid tutoring role. Just volunteer hours outside of school. I’ve been a Knack tutor since my second semester in 2023. I transferred to Orono late, so I haven’t been an active tutor for very long.

Knack: Tell us about your experience as a tutor on Knack so far.

Guin: I'm looking to use this experience on other tutoring platforms, but I haven’t found one as supportive as Knack. The support team is very responsive, and I’ve found the training sessions extremely helpful in building my credibility as a tutor.

As an education major planning to become a classroom teacher, having Knack on my résumé is a great way to show experience beyond what was required for my classes. It’s been a very positive experience overall.

I include Knack on my résumé, and I reference it in cover letters and introduction letters to demonstrate my continued dedication to teaching beyond my coursework. It shows that I genuinely enjoy tutoring and that I have experience working with learners of all ages.

I typically do one-on-one sessions because I prefer the more personal experience it provides for students. When I was attending Orono, I did a few in-person sessions, but remote sessions worked better for me. I was still working in childcare when I went home to Southern Maine, so tutoring remotely during the winter and summer sessions was the best fit. Now that I’ve graduated, remote is the only option for me.

My tutoring style focuses on giving students access to study tools and strategies so that, ideally, they become more independent and don’t need ongoing assistance. Because of that, I don’t log a high number of tutoring hours. I try to empower students to succeed on their own by helping them find and use the right resources.

Knack: What is your favorite part about using Knack?

Guin: I think my favorite part of using Knack has been the communication with the support team when I need help. I’ve used other tutoring platforms before, and none have been as responsive as Knack. I also really like the tools, such as the whiteboard and the built-in messaging, which make it easier to communicate with students compared to email, which can get cluttered when students are also managing messages from multiple professors.

The quick support response and the tools available to both tutors and students, like the ability to give clear demonstrations and exchange messages efficiently, have been especially useful.

Knack: What are your career goals after graduation?

Guin: My career goal is to become a social studies teacher at the secondary level, as that was my major in college. I’m currently applying for full-time classroom positions, but since it's a bit late in the hiring season, I’m continuing to work as a substitute teacher to gain more classroom experience.

I’m also hoping to use my Knack tutoring experience to strengthen my credibility and apply for other tutoring certifications, such as SAT/ACT prep, which require more advanced qualifications and training. I see Knack as a great foundation to help me move in that direction.

Today, Guin is applying for full-time teaching positions, supported by the credibility and confidence she built through Knack. She references her tutoring experience in cover letters and resumes, not just as a job, but as evidence of her commitment to student success.

Her tutoring approach reflects a long-term vision. Guin focuses on equipping students with tools and strategies they can use independently, with the goal of making herself unnecessary over time. That mindset—of building capacity, not dependency—sets her apart as both a tutor and a future teacher.

Guin’s journey highlights what Knack is all about: giving student leaders the opportunity to lead now, while preparing them for the impact they’ll make next.