When your child struggles in school or aims for more success, it can be frustrating to go it alone. Research by the Brookings Institute found that 80 percent of studies done on tutoring show that students who work with tutors show statistically significant improvement. One of the most important elements of success was who was doing the tutoring.
Finding the best tutor to help your child succeed means looking for an individual with the right skills to connect with students. The tutoring relationship is vital to learning. Tutors should be able to assess your child quickly, understand them, and build trust. Cultivating this connection may happen fast, or it may take a little time. What is key is to find a tutor with the right strengths. Here are some of the qualities that all good tutors will have.
1. Motivation
It’s essential to understand what motivates a tutor. Are they interested in helping your child grow and learn, or do they just need a little extra money on the side? Good tutors are in it for the right reasons. Moreover, students succeed when they can work with the same tutor for a long time. So, look for one dedicated to working with you and your child for the long term.
2. Adaptability
No single learning style fits every student. Tutors need to adjust their approach based on what the student needs and where they are struggling. It’s also important that the tutor be flexible to change their teaching as the student progresses.
3. Patience
Working through struggles requires patience. Some students may need more patience than others. A tutor must demonstrate this characteristic. Consider how successful your child would be with a tutor that has strong subject expertise but lacks patience. Tutoring may require repetition of explanation and processes until the student grasps it. It calls for an individual that is calm, cool, and patient with others.
4. Enthusiasm
Tutors need to be excited about learning and have a passion for it. Many children become discouraged with school when they struggle or don’t get high grades. To overcome this emotion, a tutor needs to have the enthusiasm to inspire students, helping them develop a love of learning. In this way, a tutor can be a role model for your child. If you recognize a positive change in your child’s feelings about the subject or school, you’ll know you have a good tutor.
5. Empathy
A good tutor needs to empathize with their student. They should listen to your child and understand their needs and challenges. Doing this will build a good rapport and ensure that your child feels valued.
School struggles can indicate that there may be personal issues affecting the student’s academic performance. Asking questions to gain more knowledge about the challenges a student has is one way to know if you have a good tutor. They are usually looking for the root problem.
Each situation is unique, and to offer your child the best possibility of overcoming their challenges, a tutor will need to understand the child’s world. This includes their school and home life. Once they know the experiences that have shaped your child’s world, they will be able to create the right plan for success.
6. Communication
Helping children learn requires the ability to communicate effectively, using language and ideas they can grasp. Good tutors demonstrate strong communication skills when they can:
• Listen patiently
• Use examples to teach
• Speak clearly
• Engage students with nonverbal communication, facial expressions, etc.
• Help students visualize concepts like geometry
7. Humility
No one person has all the answers. Sometimes a tutor will have to acknowledge they don’t know the answer. A tutor should tell a student they don’t know how to answer the question rather than try and guess.
A good tutor will find the answer to help the student understand the concept or issue better. But, sometimes, if things are not working out, a tutor will need to admit they may not be the right person for the job. When there is a lack of connection, or the student cannot overcome their struggles, a good tutor will step back. While this may be frustrating as a parent, a good tutor will do this out of respect for your time and money. School struggles can indicate that there may be personal issues affecting the student’s academic performance.
Questions to Ask a Prospective Tutor
Here are some questions you can ask a tutor during the interview process to help ensure you find the right fit for your family.
• What is your tutoring experience?
• Do you have any references from past students?
• What is your approach to learning?
• How many sessions will you offer each week?
• Is tutoring done in person or online?
• Are you available for student questions between sessions?
• Will you assign homework or extra projects?
• What kind of results can we expect to see?
At School Is Easy, we only hire qualified, patient tutors that demonstrate strong communication skills. Our tutors undergo a comprehensive screening and background check, including a face-to-face interview and assessment for their subject matter expertise.
We understand that finding a good tutor is crucial to your child’s success. Our team wants to partner with you and your student on their learning journey. Contact us today to book a qualified tutor for your learner.
