Tutor Spotlight: Aliya Perkins

Meet Aliya!

Aliya is a passionate educator and dedicated Sunshiner who brings more than a decade of experience to her sessions. With a heart for helping children grow and thrive—no matter where they come from—Aliya’s commitment to education is nothing short of inspiring.

Join our conversation with Aliya below:

Hi Aliya! Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?

I've been in education for over 10 years. I started teaching at the Virgin Islands Department of Education after I moved to the Virgin Islands in 2012. Before that, I worked at my university, and once I was accepted into the school of education, I really pursued teaching as a career.

Tutoring has been a part of my journey throughout—I’ve usually been teaching full-time while also doing academic mentoring or tutoring like I’m doing now. One of the most memorable experiences was tutoring as part of therapy services on the island of St. Croix while working at the university. That was a really great experience.


What motivates you to tutor children in your community?

It’s really about meeting students where they are and helping ensure they receive a quality education—regardless of their socioeconomic status, background, disability, or any challenges they may face.

Every child has the right to learn, to become a student, and to pursue a future in education, STEM, or whatever their passion may be. As tutors, we’re on the front lines—we have to meet our students as they are, encourage them, support them, and guide them toward their goals.

Not just to succeed, but to excel in whatever they choose to do in the future.

What is one of the best experiences that you’ve had since becoming a tutor?

There have been so many—it’s hard to choose just one! I always love those “aha” moments, when something clicks for a student. But one of the most memorable for me was a poetry lesson I did with a student.

We had the freedom to write poems about anything—ourselves, family, friends. But for this session, I wrote a poem about the student to highlight how awesome they are. I wanted to uplift them and celebrate who they are through my words. They were so happy to be recognized like that—it really meant something to them.

Their parents loved it too. And the best part? After all the work we had done together—on reading comprehension, literacy, fluency, phonics—they were able to write a poem on their own. That moment, watching them use everything we’d practiced to express themselves independently, was so powerful. It was just a really great session.

That's such an incredible experience! How has education personally impacted your life?

I’ve always loved learning—I’ve definitely been one of those students you might call a “nerd.” But nerds are cool now! And it’s not just about success or money—it’s about being a scholar and truly loving the process of learning.

I’ve always been the kind of person who could spend hours with books—whether reading at home, at the library, or just diving into something new. I’ve never minded listening to lectures or getting involved in interactive, hands-on activities. I’ve always truly enjoyed learning.

To me, education has always felt important because it’s something no one can ever take away from you. Life can throw challenges your way, but your education—your knowledge, your mind—stays with you. 

We couldn't agree more! What do you think it takes to be a Sunshine Method tutor?

It takes a lot of patience, and a real commitment to understanding your students. It’s not hard work in the traditional sense, but it does take intentional effort—learning how your students learn, building a relationship with them, and connecting with their parents or guardians.

From the very first diagnostic session, it’s important to create a safe and welcoming environment. I always let my students know, “I’m here to make you comfortable. I don’t want you to feel stressed.”

Tutoring should be engaging and even fun—learning doesn’t have to feel overwhelming. At The Sunshine Method, it’s all about patience, endurance, and building strong relationships with both students and families.

Do you have any advice that you would like to give to other tutors?

Our students are in school from sunup to sundown. Many are involved in extracurriculars, summer programs, or facing challenges at home—and that can be a lot for them.

As tutors, we’re here to support, encourage, and motivate them. My advice is to make sure every session feels meaningful—even if that means setting academics aside for a bit and just having an open dialogue.

Sometimes, the most valuable thing you can do is give a student space to talk, express themselves, and share about their day. I truly believe in that, and I follow that approach myself. Creating a safe, comfortable environment where they feel heard can make all the difference.

Those moments when you push the books aside can be the most powerful! What’s the best piece of advice that somebody else has given you as an educator?

Never stop learning.

That advice came from my undergraduate professor, Dr. Morgan—may she rest in peace. She was an educator for many years and taught us subjects like classroom management and educational psychology.

She always reminded us that just because students are getting older doesn’t mean the classroom can’t still come alive. Her message was clear: keep growing, keep evolving, and always stay open to learning—both for yourself and your students.

That's great advice! Do you have any advice you would give to a child who is struggling academically or lacking confidence?

I would sit down with them and say, “Never give up.”

You’re not alone—even if you don’t have a strong support system, or maybe education isn’t a big focus at home. Or maybe education is really important at home, but your school doesn’t have all the resources, or you’re not getting the support you need from your teachers. Whatever the situation is, don’t give up.

There’s something inside of you—something real. Whether it’s your drive, your passion, your motivation—hold on to that. Let that part of you shine. Keep going, even when it’s hard. Never give up, and always let your light shine.

That's what this is all about! Do you have any tips that you’d like to share about keeping your children engaged during lessons?

Make sure you know what they like—what sparks their curiosity. That’s key.

For example, if a student is into the solar system or archaeology—like some of mine are—we’ll build a STEM lesson around those topics. We’ll explore the difference between archaeology and paleontology, how they’re connected, and bring science and technology into the conversation.

It’s so important to keep the learning process fun and engaging. These students are in school all day—they’re learning, testing, doing assessments, and then going home to homework. For some, that can be a real challenge, especially if they’re struggling with reading or working below grade level.

So in our sessions, I try to make learning feel exciting and interactive. When students see that their interests matter, it helps them stay motivated and enjoy the process.

Thank you so much Aliya. I have one final question for you today, what are your hopes for your students in the future?

I hope that they reach their full potential and thrive beyond it. That is my goal and dream for my students.

If you want to become a nurse—go for it—and if you want to become a doctor after that, go for it. If you want to be a mechanic—great! Be a subject expert on cars, and then own your own shop. Be an entrepreneur.

Whatever it is, I want them to achieve what they set out to do—and then go even further. I want them to reach their full potential and then thrive beyond it.