EP01 – Turning the Tides with Knikki Hernandez

Turning the Tides with Knikki Hernandez

Early Beginnings in Education

Knikki Hernandez is a dedicated teacher and one-on-one tutor committed to helping students improve their academic and creative writing skills. Through her business, Turning the Tide Tutoring, she provides personalized instruction to empower learners. Knikki’s journey in education began at the age of 16 when she started teaching online for a Chinese-based company. Despite having no prior experience, this opportunity ignited her passion for one-on-one classes and student success.

Balancing Teaching and Tutoring

Having a full-time classroom teaching job with evening tutoring sessions, Knikki focuses on guiding students in both academic and creative writing. She explains that creative writing allows students to express their unique voice, while academic writing builds upon established ideas. Many students struggle with the structured nature of academic writing, especially when shifting from creative expression.

Bridging the Gap with “Writing is Power”

To bridge this gap, she studied a course called “Writing is Power,” which introduces students to essential writing elements and techniques. Additionally, she uses comparative exercises where students analyze and revise their work alongside her own examples to strengthen their writing skills.

Overcoming Writing Challenges

One of the challenges Knikki observes is students’ difficulty in crafting strong thesis statements. She attributes this to limited life experience, increased reliance on technology, and a decline in reading habits. To help students develop critical thinking skills, she encourages discussions and active listening, which allow them to form well-rounded perspectives and stronger arguments.

Classroom Management and Student Engagement

Beyond writing instruction, Knikki values classroom management and student engagement. She believes that adapting feedback styles based on cultural and individual differences enhances student growth. While she provides concise feedback to students, she ensures that parents receive more detailed assessments of their child’s progress.

Teaching Millennials vs. Gen Z

As a millennial , Knikki has noticed key differences between teaching millennials and Gen Z students. She learned from her mother that Gen Z has unique communication styles, preferences for brevity, interactivity, and positive reinforcement. Adjusting her teaching approach, she focuses on maintaining a positive demeanor and managing emotions effectively to connect with younger students.

The Inspiration Behind Turning the Tide Tutoring

The name “Turning the Tide” reflects Knikki’s mission to help students improve their academic performance and symbolizes her love for the ocean. Her tutoring business offers a variety of courses, including writing, authorship, and a new program for children’s book creation.

Expanding Beyond Tutoring

In addition to tutoring, she runs Generational Copy, a ghostwriting and editing agency that assists with editing, publishing, and writing proposals.

Encouraging Students to Seek Support

Knikki encourages students and parents to seek support from professional educators. She also connects individuals with experts in various fields, such as parenting, meditation, and gardening. Her advice to students is simple: never hesitate to ask for help, as guidance and support can make a significant difference in their educational journey.

---

About Knikki Hernandez

Organization or Affiliation

Turning The Tide Tutoring LLC

Her Story

A Lifelong Passion for Teaching

Ever since I was 16 years old, I knew that I wanted to make a difference in the lives of students. However, when I became a teacher, both my dad and my boyfriend at the time felt that my skills and talents would be of better use somewhere other than the education system. My father would comment to me on a regular basis, ‘So, you’re just going to be a high school Spanish teacher for the rest of your life?’ in an attempt to ‘motivate’ me to pursue what he perceived as higher goals and dreams. My boyfriend, who was a little kinder, would say, ‘I think you could have a bigger impact if you went into administration. Instead of impacting a few hundred students each year, you could literally help thousands of kids.’

Embracing the Heart of Service

I knew in my heart that they were both coming from a good place, but the reality is that I have the heart of a servant. My goal in life is to serve and amplify what others are doing and to bring out the best in other people. While that quality might not be appreciated by everyone in society, this realization has given me immeasurable happiness, and it has always led me in the right direction.

A Shift in Focus for Greater Impact

This is why in 2025, I decided that, while I didn’t agree with my dad’s or my boyfriend’s search for vanity and clout for my own life, I did find myself in agreement with one point that they made—that of impacting even more students in a positive way. To illustrate, one in every two students in the United States feels that they have struggled (or are currently struggling) with mental health issues. Mental health is a complex issue that affects every aspect of a person’s life, from their level of motivation to their personal relationships with others.

The Challenges Faced by Today’s Students

As a teacher, I’ve also noticed that it has greatly impacted their academic and professional opportunities available to them. With approximately 44% of American students behind in at least one subject or more, both teachers and parents are concerned that children are not going to have the skills or the emotional strength to face life’s challenges ahead.

Turning The Tide Tutoring: A Vision for Change

This is why I created my tutoring business called Turning The Tide Tutoring. The name signifies a change of events, namely moving from the static to that of personal transformation. The objective of creating Turning The Tide Tutoring is to connect as many students as possible with the right people, educators, and industry leaders to allow them to realize their dreams and build their skills in an environment that promotes personal growth at their own pace. In both one-on-one and small-group sessions, students will be able to personalize their educational experience while receiving top-notch professional coaching and academic support.

Supporting Parents in Today’s Educational Landscape

In addition, Turning The Tide Tutoring will also work to provide parents with the resources, connections, and guidance to navigate today’s complex landscape of raising children in an increasingly competitive and technologically advanced world.

Passion and Interests

• Personally: I love to play pickleball, write, read, teach, and travel.
• Professionally: I love to talk about teaching, generational differences in education, and best practices for tutors and teachers.

Memorable Experiences

“A defining moment for me as an educator was in 2020 when schools shut down. Everyone at the time knew that something big was about to unfold, but for me, that was when I decided to combine my passions for entrepreneurship, teaching, and writing into credible and reputable businesses.”

Favorite Things

• Tea: Herbal tea, any kind of herbal tea
• Drink: Kombucha drinks
• Snack: Tres leches cake (if that counts as a snack); if not, chocolate-covered strawberries

Fun Facts

• I cannot cut a straight line. LOL
• I’m very passionate about bringing pickleball to my community, especially for kids.

Relaxation and Hobbies

• I love to play pickleball, watch Netflix, and study.
• I use a system called “The Antinet” to help me develop ideas and process my thoughts.
• I want the audience to take away teaching strategies that work for them and learn more about my tutoring company, as well as ways to coordinate educational opportunities for learners of all ages.

 

---

To learn more about the author, visit Ian Tanpiuco’s official website at idtanpiu.co, where you can explore his work and expertise. For those preparing for IELTS, IELTS Rizz offers a dedicated space filled with tips, tools, and strategies to help you succeed. Check Educatorian for other academic English. If you’re looking to improve your IELTS writing or need correction services, IELTS Writing Easy provides valuable resources, including articles focused on enhancing both your writing and reading skills.