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Five Qualities a Parent Should Look
For When Hiring a Tutor
by: Laurie
Hurley
Hiring
a tutor can be
an overwhelming experience, especially if you have never done it
before. The
following five qualities are the most important ones that you should
look for
when matching a tutor with a child:
1)
Their ability to
“connect” with your child and you.
2)
Their teaching
style – does it match your child’s learning style?
3)
Their ability to be
patient and empathic when your child is truly struggling.
4)
Their reliability
and dependability.
5)
Their tutoring
experience backed up by current references.
It
is imperative that
the tutor immediately makes a strong connection with your child. The
tutor
should use part of the first session getting to know your child by
asking
questions about their likes, dislikes, strengths and weaknesses.
Setting the
rapport is important so future sessions run smoothly and productively.
The
tutor should also be able to easily communicate with you after the
session and
give you adequate feedback regarding what he or she accomplished during
the
session.
If
your child is a
visual learner, the tutor should bring appropriate materials (a small
white
board, for example) so the learning process compliments your child’s
learning
style. Conversely, an auditory learner would benefit from reading out
loud with
the tutor or talking through math problems. A kinetic learner will need
the
sessions to be very hands-on and interactive.
There
is nothing worse
than a tutor giving up and getting angry with a child when the going
gets
tough. Patience is definitely a virtue and every tutor needs to posses
this
quality to put your child at ease. An inpatient person will have the
opposite
effect. Chances are good that your child will not want to be
cooperative in the
future with anyone who can’t relate to their problems. The reason you
hired a
tutor was to find someone who can repeat themselves numerous times if
necessary
or present information in a different way until it “clicks” with your
child.
A
tutor who is
constantly late or just doesn’t show up without calling should
immediately be
terminated.
Checking
a tutor’s
references is imperative. Written references should not be older than a
year
old and you should call the author of the letter anyway, just to
confirm they
wrote it. The best references are from individuals who have observed
the tutor
teaching or tutoring. Other parents who have used the tutor are the
best
references, but don’t dismiss your gut feeling about someone you are
interviewing.
An
extensive interview
must be done to be sure you are selecting only top-notch teachers and
tutors.
You will want to conduct a thorough background and criminal check and
call all
of the references provided.
Most
importantly, a
visit to every home to meet the family before attempting to place a
tutor is
imperative. This complimentary visit proves invaluable when making a
“match”
with you child.
Bright
Apple Tutoring
Service, Inc. has been offering tutoring services above requirements
are met
and that you get only the best tutors. If you are looking for a tutor,
or
looking to start a career in tutoring, contact Bright Apple Tutoring
Service,
at http://www.hometutoringbusiness.com
1.888.847.0033
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