Back to School Tutoring
As a new year at school approaches, students and their parents will soon be waiting in long lines for school supplies, purchasing new clothing and/or uniforms, and adapting from summer ‘vacation’ to fall ‘work’. Although a tutoring program may seem like it should be the last thing on our minds, in many cases the fall is one of the most important times to consider supplementary education. Being proactive about your child’s education has many benefits including optimizing long-term grade results and organization skills; boosting consistency and confidence, and reducing stress. Here are a few helpful hints to consider when considering back to school tutoring this September.
Keep in mind that tutors aren’t just for people having trouble in school. Most students get a tutor because they are falling behind in a particular subject such as Math, Science, or English. Many others work with a tutor so they can get advanced instruction, or enrichment in reading and writing skills, complex areas of science and math, and other subjects.
Talk to the student’s teachers early in September. If the student is struggling in a specific subject, he or she will be able to provide guidance on the specific areas the student may need help in. Conversely, if you’re considering a tutor to help your child get ahead in school, teachers will be able to suggest the best areas to focus on. In either case, be sure to discuss tutoring with the student’s teachers.
Not all tutors are equally skilled. This is why we interview and screen all of our potential tutors to determine their skills, experience, and teaching style. This ensures a perfect match with each student’s needs. Has the tutor worked as a classroom teacher? Did the tutor major in a given subject in university? How much experience does the tutor have teaching using the provincial curriculum guidelines? Does the tutor have references from at least three satisfied clients? We ask the hard questions and get the answers so you don’t have to.
Realistic goals and expectations are the keys to success. Beware of big promises of improvement. Is it realistic to believe your son or daughter would instantly be getting A’s instead of C’s? This is why we create a realistic plan that focuses on reaching achievable goals. Whatever the plan, it’s important that the student, the parents, and the tutor share the same goals.
The school year is full of fresh opportunities, and getting a tutor may be just what your child needs to make the most of them. Good luck.