Math and Science Tutoring

Q. Describe the most common types of jobs you do for your clients.

A. Student's needs vary. With the recent increase in class size, most students don't get the individualized attention in class that they need. Teachers have their hands full. A tutor can provide that extra degree of explanation that can make all the difference. Sometimes this is all that is needed. And sometimes, the student needs to go back and learn something that they missed from earlier in the year or even a previous year, that is keeping them from being successful. And then there are the students who are looking ahead to college and they are concerned about their GPA and want every advantage. In this business we get a wide range of needs.

Q. What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?

A. I would recommend finding a tutor with experience tutoring their subject(s), preferably someone with teaching experience. They need to be able to explain something in more than just the way they learned it. Just because someone is good at Math, doesn't mean they are good at teaching Math.

I would also recommend finding a tutor who plans to be in the business of tutoring for sometime in the future. They need to be committed to their student's success. I would stay away from the here today, gone tomorrow types.

I realize that price can be a factor in your decision, but I would urge you to look at the tutor's experience and teaching credentials, rather than just what they charge. What is your rate, should NOT be your first question.

Remember that you are making an investment in your child's future.

Q. If you were a customer, what do you wish you knew about your trade? Any inside secrets to share?

A. Anyone can call themselves a tutor regardless of their actual experience. It takes more than knowledge of the subject to be able to teach/tutor. And there are a lot of people out there who see tutoring as a good way to make some extra money on the side, temporarily.

The cheapest rate is not always a good idea. As with any other industry, often, you get what you pay for. Look at the tutor's experience and teaching credentials, rather than just what their price is. What do you charge should NOT be your first question.

Q. Do you have a favorite story from your work?

A. I have several, but they have a common thread. I tutored a student in Algebra I; Geometry and Algebra II. He went on to college and when he took his exam for grad school he scored very high in Math. What makes this such a good story is that when he came to me, he did not like Math at all and had not been particularly successful in it to that point.

I have another student, I tutored her last year in Algebra II and this year in Pre-Calculus. Her Mom told me last year that she remarked to her that she actually enjoyed doing her Math homework. And again, this is a student who did not enjoy Math and was actually behind on some of her Algebra I skills before tutoring.

These are the kinds of stories that make it worth it!