Through many years as both a high school mathematics teacher and a private tutor for grades 7-12 math, I have learned that there are certain qualities and techniques that are critical for a successful tutoring experience for student, parent, and tutor. It is important that parent and child personally meet and interview potential tutors. (The tutor should be willing to interview at no charge.) As you interview, ask lots of questions, be aware of body language, and be looking for the following 10 qualities.
1. Exudes an enthusiasm -- even love -- for mathematics and shows a positive "can do" attitude.
2. Creates an immediate positive rapport with both you and your child. If something feels wrong, it is!
So end the interview and send them on their way.
3. Has a willingness to contact and work with your child's teacher.
4. Places priority on repairing gaps in learning -- not on helping Johnny do his homework for that day. Students often think a tutor is just for homework help, but that can only happen after the prerequisite skills are in place. Keep in mind that repairing gaps in knowledge may take many weeks to accomplish if tutoring is only happening once a week. If you want your child to have both homework help and skill repair, you might want to consider two sessions per week. In reality, having a tutor help Johnny with one day's homework is a waste of your money. When learning gaps are fixed, your child will be able to do his/her own homework.
5. Asks to have a copy of your child's textbook. Schools will generally allow you to check out an additional text for a tutor, although a deposit may be required. Having the text allows the tutor to be familiar with the terminology and methods your child is using; and it avoids problems if your child doesn't bring his/her book home from school.
6. Keeps a file on your child that contains initial assessment information, notes from conversations with the teacher, student homework or test papers to keep as needed, notes about strategies for improvement, your contact information, student class schedule, etc.
7. Is familiar with and uses brain-friendly techniques. This might include use of individual white boards with colorful markers, manipulatives, games, flash cards, computer, etc. If the tutor is unfamiliar with the term "brain-friendly," ask about use of the mentioned items. If the tutor doesn't use any of them, find another tutor.
8. Owns a graphing calculator -- hopefully the same kind your child uses -- and can explain how to use it, when to use it, why to use it, and, most importantly, when not to use it. Your child should not be calculator dependent. Your child needs to have strong basic arithmetic skills. If something is weak (usually multiplication), the tutor needs to work on fixing that weakness.
9. Understands and is good at task analysis. If the tutor doesn't know what this is, this is the wrong tutor. Task analysis is the process of looking at a new skill or procedure from the standpoint of what knowledge is required before the child can grasp the new information. When a student has difficulty learning a new topic, it is usually because a needed skill is missing. But some tutors have difficulty determining what that is because they can't break a skill apart into its smallest components.
10. Is able to teach or explain every topic or skill several different ways. Many teachers and tutors can be excellent at doing math but are weak at explaining it. Students do not all learn the same way so, being able to explain a concept in several different ways is critical for success.
There are a couple other issues that you may need to consider. First, are there any gender issues to be considered? Would your child work better with a male or female? And does your child have any special needs or learning disabilities to consider?
When you think you have found the right tutor, be sure you check their references. It is not necessary for the tutor to be a licensed teacher. Teenage neighbors or college students often make excellent tutors, but do get references if this is a person you do not know.
Finding the right tutor for your child is extremely important and is worth the time, effort, and money. The effects of both success and failure last a lifetime. Your child needs you to choose success.
1. Exudes an enthusiasm -- even love -- for mathematics and shows a positive "can do" attitude.
2. Creates an immediate positive rapport with both you and your child. If something feels wrong, it is!
So end the interview and send them on their way.
3. Has a willingness to contact and work with your child's teacher.
4. Places priority on repairing gaps in learning -- not on helping Johnny do his homework for that day. Students often think a tutor is just for homework help, but that can only happen after the prerequisite skills are in place. Keep in mind that repairing gaps in knowledge may take many weeks to accomplish if tutoring is only happening once a week. If you want your child to have both homework help and skill repair, you might want to consider two sessions per week. In reality, having a tutor help Johnny with one day's homework is a waste of your money. When learning gaps are fixed, your child will be able to do his/her own homework.
5. Asks to have a copy of your child's textbook. Schools will generally allow you to check out an additional text for a tutor, although a deposit may be required. Having the text allows the tutor to be familiar with the terminology and methods your child is using; and it avoids problems if your child doesn't bring his/her book home from school.
6. Keeps a file on your child that contains initial assessment information, notes from conversations with the teacher, student homework or test papers to keep as needed, notes about strategies for improvement, your contact information, student class schedule, etc.
7. Is familiar with and uses brain-friendly techniques. This might include use of individual white boards with colorful markers, manipulatives, games, flash cards, computer, etc. If the tutor is unfamiliar with the term "brain-friendly," ask about use of the mentioned items. If the tutor doesn't use any of them, find another tutor.
8. Owns a graphing calculator -- hopefully the same kind your child uses -- and can explain how to use it, when to use it, why to use it, and, most importantly, when not to use it. Your child should not be calculator dependent. Your child needs to have strong basic arithmetic skills. If something is weak (usually multiplication), the tutor needs to work on fixing that weakness.
9. Understands and is good at task analysis. If the tutor doesn't know what this is, this is the wrong tutor. Task analysis is the process of looking at a new skill or procedure from the standpoint of what knowledge is required before the child can grasp the new information. When a student has difficulty learning a new topic, it is usually because a needed skill is missing. But some tutors have difficulty determining what that is because they can't break a skill apart into its smallest components.
10. Is able to teach or explain every topic or skill several different ways. Many teachers and tutors can be excellent at doing math but are weak at explaining it. Students do not all learn the same way so, being able to explain a concept in several different ways is critical for success.
There are a couple other issues that you may need to consider. First, are there any gender issues to be considered? Would your child work better with a male or female? And does your child have any special needs or learning disabilities to consider?
When you think you have found the right tutor, be sure you check their references. It is not necessary for the tutor to be a licensed teacher. Teenage neighbors or college students often make excellent tutors, but do get references if this is a person you do not know.
Finding the right tutor for your child is extremely important and is worth the time, effort, and money. The effects of both success and failure last a lifetime. Your child needs you to choose success.
Shirley Slick, "The Slick Tips Lady," is a retired high school math teacher and a private tutor. With degrees in Mathematics and Psychology as well as additional training in brain-based learning and teaching, Shirley is uniquely qualified to pursue her passions of: (1) helping parents to help their children with mathematics -- specifically Algebra, (2) helping improve Algebra instruction in our schools to eliminate the horrendous Algebra failure rate, and (3) informing the general public about problematic issues related to the field of education. To compete in this global economy, everyone needs to care about the education of our children, and everyone needs to get involved.
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