A New Tutor Interviews ME on My Own Podcast
In this episode of the Academic Coaching Podcast, Gretchen Wegner sits down with Alondra Padilla, a first-generation college graduate, tutor, and emerging educator, for a conversation about academic coaching, educational equity, and the experiences that shape how we teach and learn.
Enjoy this episode in one of two ways:
▶️ Watch — Prefer video? Watch the full conversation on YouTube
🎧 Listen — Perfect for your commute, workout, or whenever you're on the go:
You'll Hear Us Talk About
How Gretchen went from teacher to academic coach—and eventually founded the Anti-Boring Learning Lab
Alondra's experience as a first-generation college graduate, child of immigrants, and student in LA public schools
Why mistakes can be an essential part of learning rather than something students need to avoid
Shame and imposter syndrome—and how both can show up at very different stages of an educator's career
The ways school can ask students to mask, code-switch, or otherwise adapt themselves to fit
What equity and personalized learning can look like when we start with the student rather than the system
And so much more!!
About Alondra Padilla
Alondra Padilla is an English educator and scholar committed to supporting students as whole learners. A UCLA alumna and Los Angeles native, she grew up advocating for educational equity. She currently provides private tutoring and academic support while pursuing a Master’s degree in Education and a PhD in English. She hopes to become an English professor and continue empowering students to reach their educational and professional goals.
Links + Resources
Questions This Episode Answers
How can academic coaches help students work through shame and imposter syndrome?
Alondra and Gretchen talk about how shame and imposter syndrome can show up when students feel like they don't fit what school expects of them. They explore how supportive coaching can help students understand their experiences, recognize that struggling doesn't mean something is wrong with them, and find strategies that work for who they are.
Why is it important to help students feel comfortable making mistakes?
Alondra shares a lesson from a college professor who taught her to work with mistakes rather than throw them away. They connect this to learning: mistakes can give students useful information about what isn't working and create opportunities to try something differently.
What does a toolkit approach to academic coaching look like?
Gretchen explains the difference between having a toolkit of strategies and following a fixed curriculum. Instead of deciding in advance exactly what every student needs, coaches can draw from different tools and adapt them based on the student in front of them.
How can educators support students whose backgrounds or experiences don't fit traditional school expectations?
Gretchen and Alondra explore how students may feel pressure to mask, code-switch, or otherwise adapt themselves to fit educational environments. They discuss the importance of starting with the student—their experiences, interests, goals, and needs—rather than assuming one approach will work for everyone.
How did Gretchen's own path lead to the Anti-Boring Learning Lab?
Gretchen shares parts of her career journey that she hasn't talked about publicly before, from teaching and academic coaching to developing the Anti-Boring Approach and eventually training other educators. Her path took several unexpected turns, and those experiences shaped the work she does today.
Want to Bring More Anti-Boring Learning Into Your Work?
Whether you're just beginning your journey as a tutor or academic coach (like Alondra!) or you've been working with students for decades, there's always more to learn about how to support the students in front of you.
Inside the Anti-Boring Learning Lab, you'll find research-informed study skills and executive function strategies, practical tools you can adapt to different learners, and a community of educators who are just as curious about the craft of teaching and coaching as you are.
Come for the Anti-Boring Toolkit. Stay for the conversations, connections, and opportunities to keep growing together.