Tips for finding a tutor – eagletimes.com

A successful academic career requires a lot of hard work. Although some students get through their course content without much difficulty, there are many who may need extra help during their academic careers. Before they fall far behind their classmates, those who could benefit from extra support can turn to tutors.

Students have many options when looking for tutors. The school may offer on-campus tutoring by peers or faculty. Students who may not have met certain benchmarks on standardized or placement tests may be assigned tutors to provide resources during or after school. Private tutoring is another option to consider. Some tutors work independently or as part of a larger tutoring or test prep program. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that California, New York, Texas, and Florida were the states with the highest employment rate for tutors as of May 2022.

Families who have decided it is time to hire a private tutor can follow these guidelines to find the right tutor.

· Identify the goals of tutoring. It is important to find out where a student needs help. Schedule an appointment with a teacher or have a student speak with the professor to find out where they need help. This information can then be passed on to potential tutors.

· Ask for recommendations. The school can recommend tutors, or if a student gets along well with a particular teacher (past or present), you can ask if he or she offers private lessons. Friends or family members can also recommend tutors.

· Know the learning style. Some students learn best in one-on-one tutoring. Others may benefit from small group instruction. The learning style will help in choosing a tutoring option, as some tutors work with students individually and others take on small groups.

· Consider your budget. Private lessons cost money. If money is tight, consider a free tutoring option if offered by the school. For example, some colleges offer free on-campus tutoring.

· Be sure to check references. Anyone can post a tutoring ad, but not everyone is qualified to do so. If you hire a professional, ask for references. Very often, tutors are current or former educators, so it’s a good idea to ask about training and certification. Additionally, if a student is struggling with a particular subject, it’s best to hire a tutor who specializes in that field of study.

Tutors can help students succeed when additional instruction is needed, and families typically have numerous tutoring options available.