One of my dazzling Santa Barbara calculus and chemistry tutors – a biochem major at UCSB - told me she always thought of herself as a future scientist. I have math tutors in San Luis Obispo who say the same thing. As girls they envisioned careers in labs. Research has found that when kids self-identify as violinists (or future scientists) or whatever, they perform astoundingly better than less-committed peers – even when both groups practice the same amount of time. That internal idea – “I am a future scientist” leads to deeper practicing and superior outcomes. Great teachers and tutors can inspire kids to imagine careers in their field of study. This may be the single most important factor in improving kids’ performance!