Ask Micki: The disparaging parent

© sxc.hu/imru2b12

Question: Hi, Micki, I need some help with a really awkward tutoring situation I've gotten involved in during these past few months. 

I tutor a really smart student named Jason*.  He's in the 12th grade, and I've been tutoring him in chemistry during his senior year. 

Like I said, Jason is a sharp guy, and follows each tutoring session with no problems at all.  He's excited about going to college out of state next year, and is working hard to achieve his goals.

He pays attention, does his homework, finishes the extra exercises, and always makes sure to participate in the class extra credit assignments.  He's the perfect tutee to have, and I look forward to our tutoring sessions.

The problem is his parents.  I don't want to come off sounding mean, but they are horrible!

Jason brings home an A-, and they yell at him for not getting 100% on the homework.  He gets his extra credit work done early, and they complain that he doesn't make time for sports.  It's like no matter what Jason does, his parents won't get off his back, and it is driving me crazy to watch. 

It's also affecting Jason, and he feels really insecure and bad about himself.

They are, in a word, mean...and (in two more words) not supportive.

They even tell me not to work too hard on him, because he probably won't get it anyway.

Help!
A.K.
* Name changed to protect privacy.

Answer: Hi, A.K.  Yikes, that is a horrible situation. I feel bad for you, and worse for your poor tutee.  He sounds like a great kid, and it's unfortunate that he's been stuck with parents who make him feel so badly about himself. 

The great news is, he has you as a tutor! 

It sounds like you are supportive and enthusiastic when it comes to his work - just what he needs right now - and that you make the time to encourage him in his studies.

So definitely keep doing what you're doing.  Your attitude is undoubtedly good for Jason's morale.  That, coupled with the fact that he'll be leaving for college in not too long, has got to make it a little easier for Jason to be excited about the future - he has something to look forward to, and that can be a great motivator. 

Apart from that, maybe you could pull the parents aside, and (in a very non-confrontational way) let them know that Jason does great work with motivation and encouragement.  Let them know that a little praise goes a long way, and that some encouraging words will help Jason stay focused and enthusiastic academically.

Again, you don't want to make things worse at home, so present every word in a positive light, never sounding accusatory.  Stay upbeat, and approach the situation as though you are handing out a few expert tips from the tutoring world. 

After all, a lot of tutoring is all about encouragement, support, and interpersonal communication.  They may appreciate the tips! (They certainly sounds as though they need them, too.)

Good luck, and let us know how things turn out for you!

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Photo credit: © imru2b12
http://www.sxc.hu/profile/imru2b12

Ask Micki: Accepting a gift as a tutor

© iprole

Question: Hi, Micki. I'm wondering if it is OK to accept a gift from my tutee's parents. 

Let me explain a little bit - I know that my tutee's family isn't very well off financially right now, and every penny counts. 

The economy hit them pretty hard, and I wound up reducing my rates almost in half so that I could keep tutoring their daughter.  She's 8 years old, a great student, and a lot of fun to work with during tutoring. 

Despite the economic situation, my tutee's parents generously gave me a gift card as a "Christmas thanks" for all of the help and tutoring over the past 7 months. 

Should I accept it?

Thanks for your advice,
Alecia
Dayton, OH

Answer: Hi, Alecia.  First of all, what a great person you are for thinking of your tutee's parents' situation before your own excitement over a gift card. That's impressive, and you should be congratulated for making their lives a little easier during this tough time. 

The short answer - Yes, definitely accept the gift card graciously, and make sure to hand write a thank you note.  (Not trying to sound like your mother, here, but hand written thank you notes go a long way in today's high tech society!)

This purchase was likely a bit of a stretch for them right now, and the last thing you want to do is hurt their feelings by refusing to accept their generous gift.  So, accept it thankfully, and be thrilled that they are so happy with you as their daughter's tutor!

That said, if you are still concerned, and don't want them breaking the bank for you, reciprocate in a way that will not look insulting.  Stop by a favorite store or restaurant of theirs and pick up a modest gift card.  No, it doesn't have to match the gift they gave you. 

You could also pick up a gift card to a local toy store, clothing store, or even megastore for their daughter.  This would allow their daughter to pick up a fun new toy or outfit without it costing her parents a penny.  I'm sure they would be very thankful for that! 

Another option is to do some pro bono work, if you can afford to, for a week or two.  Or, print out some "Free Tutoring Session" cards to give to your tutee's parents.  They can redeem them whenever they need to do so.

You can also opt for any combination of the above.  Whatever you decide, make sure to present the gifts with a smile on your face...and don't forget to write that thank you note!

Happy holidays, and merry tutoring!

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Photo credit:
© sxc.hu/iprole

Ask Micki: Holiday gift giving

© iprole

Question: Hi, Micki. I was hoping for an answer to a quick question about the holiday season and gift giving advice for tutors. 

I tutor the sciences, mostly chemistry, to high school and college students.  However, I do have a few young science tutees who are in elementary school.

I want to get my tutees something for the holiday season, but I am not sure what to get them.  Plus, I am wondering if it is even an appropriate to buy my tutees gifts.  Is it an acceptable gesture?

Lastly, I am a college student myself, and a broke student at that, so I need gifts that cost under $5 each, since I have 11 tutees to buy for this year.

Thanks, and happy holidays,
Victor from NY

Answer: Happy holidays to you, too, Victor, and thanks for the question!

In short, I'd say - Yes! Buying a small gift for each of your tutees will be an unexpected, and very appreciated gesture. 

The good news - little holiday gifts need not cost more than about $5 each.  To be honest, it is generally more appropriate that they be small tokens of appreciation rather than lavish, expensive gifts, so the $5 mark you set is very reasonable.

Here's a few ideas that I have used in the past for my tutees during the holiday season.  Each has the official Micki guarantee, too - my tutees loved these!

• Gift card - this can be to one of their favorite coffee houses, a local restaurant, a toy store, or a nearby bookstore.  True, the dollar amount isn't high, but it will be enough to buy a much appreciated cup of coffee, a sandwich, a small educational toy, or a new paperback.  Also great is the fact that gift card are easy to wrap, fun to receive, and very portable.

• Themed pencils/pens/highlighters/crayons/markers - check out your local office supply store for holiday themed writing implements that will put your tutee into the holiday spirit.  "Best gift ever!" was what I heard when I gave one of my smiling 9 year old tutees a set of holiday scented pencils. She loved them!

• Other themed office supplies - while you are at the office supply store (or online), keep an eye out for erasers, notebooks, file folders, sticker, or any other cheery, holiday themed office supplies.

• Travel mugs - these can often be found on sale for around $5, and my tutees have always liked receiving these.

 • Learning aids - these can be great if you know what your tutee needs.  Do you have a 10 year old studying botany? Go for a learning aid related to plant growth.  Have a tutee who loves dinosaurs? Pick up a wooden dinosaur puzzle.  Tutoring a college student in beginning chemistry? Opt for a study guide or laminated study card.

Anyone else have any great tutee gift ideas?  Mention them in the comments section, and help Victor out with some great ideas!

Good luck with the shopping trip, and happy tutoring!

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Photo credit:
© sxc.hu/iprole

Field Notes: Sports Tutoring

I wanted to share an experience that I recently had with my tutee that I thought might help or inspire other tutors out there. 

First of all, my name is Jaimille, and I usually tutor science subjects to middle school and high school students.  I'm also an ice skater, and skated semi-pro for a few years.  The two are related, I promise!

Anyway, I was talking to one of my tutees and her mom a few months ago, and the subject of ice skating came up in the conversation.  My tutee's mom asked if I would be willing to teach her daughter (my tutee) how to ice skate.  She had wanted to learn for a lot of years, but gets really nervous in large group class settings when it comes to sports. 

Honestly, at first I almost said no.  Then I thought back to something I read right here on the blog.  It was about branching outside of your tutoring "comfort zone," and tutoring non-traditional subjects that fall outside your standard set of tutoring subjects. 

So, I said yes, and my tutee and I started meeting once a week for biology, and once a week for ice skating.

It has been a phenomenal experience!

Almost instantly we worked more effectively together during the biology tutoring; I think it was because we were having fun and bonding on the ice. 

Our communication improved (both on and off the ice), we were having fun while learning, and my tutee seemed much more focused and enthusiastic.

Overall, it has been a great experience, and I am thrilled that I said yes.  I would definitely recommend it to other tutors.  If you get a chance to tutor non-traditional subjects, whether it's music, dance, sports, etc., definitely go for it! 

Cyber Monday...and Tuesday!

Hello, everyone!

The ITA Cyber Monday sale was such a huge hit that we've decided to extend it!  Cyber Monday has been extended until Tuesday, 11/30/2010 at 11:59 pm (PST).

Now is a great time to renew your membership, or sign up for the first time, and get 40% off the regular rates!

Ask Micki: My tutee is really bored

Question: Hi, Micki, I need some help with something. 

My tutee is a great kid, she's in grade 6, and really tries hard to get involved in every one of our tutoring sessions. 

The problem is, I can tell that she's really bored.  I am tutoring her in very beginning ESL.  She just moved here from Europe. 

Any ideas for how to make things more exciting for her?

Thanks,
Janie in Salt Lake City, Utah

Answer: Hi, Janie! Thanks for your question. 

I can guarantee that you're going to like my answer!

The short answer is - you have one of the best tutoring subjects when it comes to making things more exciting for your tutee!  ESL lends itself to all sort of worksheets and games that are both educational, and a blast to complete. 

By implementing a few of these fun ideas, your tutee will be able to master the English language without having to muscle through a boring tutoring session.

One idea is to role play.  Now, I know that this isn't the traditional tutoring arrangement with seating, but ESL is a different kind of subject that allows for a bit more flexibility when it comes to the physical dynamic of the session.

Get up for about 5 minutes, and act out a scenario with your tutee.  Maybe she can be buying a train ticket, shopping for groceries, making a phone call, asking questions at a pet store, or making polite conversation with a stranger.  You get the idea - make it a fun learning scenario that focuses on the vocabulary and grammar that you are currently working on together. 

Add even more zest by bringing some props.  I try to have, in my tutoring bag, at least a few props to help out with the visualization portion of the ESL tutoring session. 

Believe it or not, I have some plastic fruit (grocery shopping scenario), some fake tickets (movie passes, train ticket, plane ticket, etc.), play money, etc.  These all come in handy for ESL role playing scenarios, so if ESL is your primary tutoring market, by all means put together a little collection of learning aids.

You may also want to put together some fun activity sheets for your ESL tutee.  Simple crossword puzzles, word searches, and word games can all breathe life into tired tutoring sessions. 

Even better, leave a few of these games as "homework" for your tutee.  She will get some practice, and have fun at the same time!

Good luck, have fun, and happy tutoring!

Field Notes: First time tutoring

Hello, readers.  I just returned from my very first tutoring session, and I wanted to share my real life experience for all of the other first time tutors out there!

I have to admit, a few hours before the tutoring appointment, I started to get nervous.  I had never tutored before, not even my friends in school, and wasn't 100% sure that I'd be good at it.  Yes, I read the book, got some of my training, but that first face-to-face tutoring session had me quaking.   Add to that the fact that I was going to eventually be asking this new tutee (I'll call him Greg) for a tutoring evaluation, and you can see why I was shaking in my boots.

So, I did what I always have done when I get nervous.  I spent some free time preparing.  When I'm prepared, I feel more confident, and the nervousness starts to go away.  It also serves to get my mind off of the nervousness, because I'm keeping my mind active. 

So, I sat at my desk, and started coming up with the ultimate tutoring package.  Greg and I were going to be working on algebra, so I spent some time putting together a few study sheets, mini-quizzes, formula sheets, exercises, etc.  By the time 2 o'clock rolled around, I headed out to meet my tutee, study materials in hand.

When Greg and I finally sat down to get to work, I remembered the proper seating arrangement, made sure he had a few sharpened pencils at his side for the worksheets, and we got to talking for a few minutes. 

Instantly, my nervousness disappeared as Greg and I got to know each other a little better.  We talked about his classes, major, my new career as a tutor, etc.  It may have only been about 10 minutes, but it was enough to break the ice and give the whole tutoring session a friendly, upbeat tone.  It was great!

By the time the tutoring session was over, we had worked through about half of the study materials I brought, Greg mentioned how excited he was to finally "understand this stuff," and we were scheduling in a tutoring session for next week.

As I left the Greg's house, and was driving home, it suddenly hit me that somewhere along the way my nervousness had turned to excitement.  I was so thrilled to be doing what I am doing, and I can't imagine a better job than being a tutor.  One of the most positive experiences of my year.

So, my advice to all you new tutors out there?  Just take the plunge, and be prepared for the tutoring.  Put together materials that will help your tutee study, get there a little early for the tutoring session, and don't be afraid to be yourself.  If someone as shy as me can do it, so can you!

~ Mike, a new tutor in Buena Park, CA

Ask Micki: Parents don't think that their child needs tutoring

Question: Hey, there, Micki. I have an unusual question, and I am hoping that you will have an answer for me. 

I was contacted by a high school senior a few months ago; she needed help with chemistry, and was hoping that I could tutor her twice a week. 

I have to say, I was impressed by the fact that it was the student (not the parents) who contacted me about tutoring.  I thought to myself, "Wow! If the student is this motivated to learn, imagine how great and supportive her parents must be!"

Boy, was I completely WRONG. 

When I arrived at the house for our first tutoring session, her mother's first words to me were, "Just so you know: I don't think Amber* needs tutoring.  She insisted, so we said yes, but I think you'll be a waste of money, and I don't think Amber's cut out for chemistry."

Wow, thanks, Mom... 

While Amber's dad wasn't quite so vocal, I was given the same treatment by him, and he was pretty flatly honest about how tutors were an unnecessary expense for "good students." 

I felt bad for my tutee, and I felt bad for me, too.  After all, I was contacted by someone who needed tutoring help, and I was there to do my job, not to be insulted.

It's been a few months, now, and Amber's grades have improved immensely, from Cs to As!  She is also much more confident, and is back to dreaming of a science career of some kind once she gets to college. 

The problem is, her parents are still acting miserably, making little comments, and just not being supportive.  Any ideas on how  to handle the awkward situation?

Thanks for your advice!
Ella, hardworking tutor for 10 years now

* Not the tutee's real name.

Answer: Hi, Ella - yikes! Sounds like you unknowingly walked right into an emotional family minefield.  So, first of all, congratulations for sticking with it, and for sticking by your tutee.  It sounds like she needs, and appreciates, the support you are providing.

My best advice for how to handle this situation is going to be the same advice my parents gave me back in junior high when I was dealing with an obnoxious kid in my class - Ignore it.

I know, I know, easier said than done, but trust me when I say that, when you put in the effort to blow their comments off, it will get easier to ignore their attitudes with each passing tutoring session. 

They are obviously unhappy, rude people.  Sorry to sound judgmental, but from what I've read here, it is true.  Chances are, people who behave like that to strangers are likely just as bad (if not worse) to family.  So, don't focus on their comments. 

Instead, focus on your tutee.  Think about how you showing up twice a week is like a beacon of hope in an otherwise cloudy world for her.  You are not showing up for the parents, you are showing up every week to tutor a kid in chemistry who needs and appreciates your help.  You are giving your tutee confidence, and improving her academic performance.

Both you and your tutee are there for all the right reasons, so try (tough as it may be) to stay focused on that.

You can also do what I tend to do with surly family - counter every negative comment with a positive statement.  If your tutee's parents complain about tutors being unnecessary, counter with a cheery, "Well, I thank you for the opportunity to work with your daughter! She's a really bright student!"

You've now effectively changed the subject, shifted it to a more positive place, and can move on to the tutoring knowing that you were gracious even if her parents were downright rude.

Good luck, and stay positive!

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Photo Credit: © 0Odyssey0
http://www.sxc.hu/profile/0Odyssey0

Ask Micki: Tutor comparisons

© Gastonmag

Questions: Bonjour, Micki! I was contacted by a family who needed a French tutor for their daughter. 

Their previous tutor of 2 years had gone away to college, and they needed someone to continue to help their daughter conjugate those French verbs.

The situation I'm having is that they are CONSTANTLY comparing me to their old tutor, Paula (not her real name). 

When I present a topic, I'm told, "that isn't the way Paula did things." When we work on vocabulary, I'm told, "Paula always went over the words like this..."  If I give a mini-quiz, I hear about how Paula never did that.

This happens at least a dozen times per session. It's driving me crazy!

Any help for this?

Merci!
Allison

Answer: Hi Allison, thanks for your question.  Believe it or not, this is a fairly common complaint when it comes to tutoring. 

The good news is, time is the best remedy for this type of situation.  Over time, "Paula always did it this way..." will be gradually replaced by, "This is how Allison and I work through the French assignment..."

That said, I imagine you'd like a way to deal with this right now, so I'll give you a few tips that I used to handle a similar situation in my own life as a new tutor.

First of all, take a few minutes to talk to your tutee. Good, open, friendly communication is key.  Find out what Paula did that worked so well, and see if any of the ideas are something you'd consider implementing during your tutoring sessions. 

Maybe Paula did a mini-quiz recap at the end of the session that may be a fun idea to continue, maybe she used flashcards that you would consider using, etc.  By keeping the dialogue (and your mind) open to new suggestions, your tutee will feel heard, and you may pick up a few good ideas for your sessions!

Also, you may consider taking a few minutes to talk about how you understand that Paula had a certain way of doing things, but so do you.  Keep the tone upbeat and positive.  Play up the good points of your tutoring style and technique.  Let the tutee (and her parents) know that with a new tutor comes wonderful new opportunities for learning, and new ways of approaching a topic.  Mention how utilizing new learning styles keeps the mind active and the material fresh.

It could be that just hearing about the newness of your tutoring will make them enthusiastic enough to drop their old expectations and ways of thinking. 

Good luck, and happy tutoring!

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Photo credit: © sxc.hu/Gastonmag

Ask Micki: Overachiever situation

Question: Hi, Micki, I have a quick question about my tutee who is a self-proclaimed overachiever.

Usually this is a great thing, because he always puts in a lot of extra effort.  This past semester, my tutee needed to take calculus, and it has been a very difficult class for him.  He's tried his absolute best put in a lot of work, has done all of the homework and extra credit assignments...he's been a great tutee. 

Unfortunately, there are only a few weeks left in the semester, and my tutee currently has a C+/B-.  There is only one exam left, worth 10% of the total grade.  Which means, even if my tutee aces it, the highest he can get in the course is a B+.  He's convinced he can get an "A."

How do I gently break the news to my tutee that, at this point in the semester, an "A" is just not possible?

Thanks,
Jeremy

Answer: Hi, Jeremy. Sounds like you have a fantastic tutee, there, who's willing to put a lot of effort into learning!  That's a great thing, no doubt about it, but it can cause some minor problems when the grade in his head isn't matching up with the grade on his report card. 

The best thing for you to do right now is to be encouraging and supportive of your tutee's efforts (not just the grades he brings home). 

Let him know that he is laying a good foundation for success by staying so focused and determined with his work.

Tell him how useful his tenacity and study habits will be for future classes.

Above all else - mention that he can be proud of whatever grade he gets, because he achieved that grade by doing his best.

It may not completely erase his concern over the "A," but it will make him feel better, and it will help him gradually accept whatever grade he ends up with at the end of the course.

Good luck, and happy tutoring!

Ask Micki: What to do about helicopter parents?

© sulaco229

Question: Hi there, Micki. Thanks in advance for your help!

I have been working with a student for nearly one year.  He's 16 years old, and I have been tutoring him in the sciences. Right now, I am tutoring him in Chemistry, and he is doing well.

He pays close attention during tutoring, shows me his homework and tests, does all of the readings, etc.  He's a model tutee.  The problem is, his mom insists on sitting right beside him during every session.

If she was just sitting there observing, while I may think it a bit odd, it wouldn't be too much of a disruption.

The problem is that she interrupts every few minutes with a question or comment, sometimes mentioning that we are both lucky she's there, as her son may not have thought to ask the question she just did.

Another problem is that, every time she interrupts, my tutee gets thrown off track, and it takes us a few minutes to get back into the flow of learning.

At first I thought that she was just observing my tutoring technique or watching how I interacted with her son.  I definitely wouldn't have a problem with that for a little while, but by now she should trust me, and know that her son and I work well together.

We have tutored twice every week for 10 months. 

How do I get this helicopter parent to give us a little space without being offensive?

~ Michael in SC

Answer: Hi, Michael. It sounds like you need to start charging for 2 tutoring sessions instead of one! I'm kidding, of course, but in actuality you are essentially conducting a small group tutoring session for the price of a single tutoring session.  Not fair to you, and not fair to your tutee since it sounds like it is an obstacle for him learning the material.

It is also a tricky situation, because she is his mom, and she's likely the one paying for the sessions - don't want to burn any bridges!

That said, it isn't appropriate for her to be sitting there, disrupting the tutoring session every few minutes.

If you'd like to try the subtle technique first, you can always opt to have a "practice quiz" for your tutee.  Tell mom that he needs to work on the quiz on his own.  Set a timer for 15 minutes, and both of you leave the room.  Do this at the beginning of every session.

This may be enough to break the mental cycle.  All going well, his mom won't feel such a strong need to be by his side as he learns since he has proven that he can get the job done without mom's help (i.e. interference).

It will also provide you with a direct talking point (i.e. the quiz results) during tutoring.  That will provide a focus that is on the material instead of on his mom's questions.  Since his mom didn't take the quiz, she likely won't have many questions about it - the tutee, on the other hand, will. 

If subtel techniques don't work out too well, try a more direct approach.  Show up a few minutes early to your tutoring session, and have a quick, friendly, private talk with mom about needing to keep her son focused during tutoring.

Mention that to keep him totally focused on the material, it may be a good idea to remove all distractions, and that maybe she could check in from a distance.

Present it in a positive light - tell her that, in order to ensure his success in future study situations, he needs to learn how to ask the right questions on his own.

Talk about how she could observe the session from further away so that he can learn to form questions and conclusions independently - 99% of the time, a parent will respond well to this approach, as he or she will not want to hinder his or her child's future academic success.

Good luck, and happy tutoring!

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Photo credit: © sxc.hu/sulaco229

Poll (and email) results

Well, the results are in!

After going through the poll results on the ITA blog, as well as all of the emails that we received from all of you, here's what you want to see in the ITA store:

Looks like the majority of you would like to see some take along rewards for your tutoring sessions.  So, be on the lookout for some additions to the ITA store!

Ask Micki: Tutee with a major attitude problem

© sxc.hu/imru2b12

Question: Hey, Micki, I need your help.  I'm literally days from dropping my tutee as a client, so I'm kind of desperate for advice. 

I've been tutoring a high school girl in math for about 3 months now.  Of those three months, all but one tutoring appointment (our first session) has been a nightmare. 

She is always late (15-20 minutes each time), never pays attention, makes snippy remarks when I try to show her a new concept, and is just an overall brat.

She is constantly telling me, "I already know this stuff - next!"  Unfortunately, it is clear that she doesn't yet know the concepts.  Test results, homework grades, and our tutoring sessions have shown me that she really needs quite a bit of help.

When I asked her about the lateness, she said, and I'm quoting here, "I had cheer practice today, so you'll just have to deal with it."

I am at the end of my rope.  I want to help her learn algebra, but not at the cost of my sanity.  She is so rude, and it just feels like she doesn't want to learn anything.

I talked to her Mom, and she shared my frustration - this is her daughter's second attempt to pass algebra, and she has already burned through 3 other tutors.

Help!
Anonymous and desperate, CA

Answer: Woah, Anonymous, you have quite a bit of patience putting up with this for 3 months.  I applaud your tenacity, and I am sorry that you are having a rough time with this tutee.  She sounds like a "real pill," as my grandmother used to say.

I'm also happy to hear that you already talked to your tutee's mother.  Communicating with a tutee's parent(s) is typically my first suggestion.  If you feel comfortable, and have not already done so, maybe you could talk to your tutee's parent about moving the tutoring appointment so that it doesn't interfere with your tutee's extracurricular activities.  It will remove the potential for lateness, and will take away her excuses for why she is tardy.

If that seems to be a dead end, you'll want to move on to step two.  Talk to your tutee directly.  Be friendly, open, and honest about your tutoring sessions.  Ask her why she is acting the way she is towards you.  Let her know that it bothers you, and that it is not a productive way to spend your time.  Ask what you can do to improve the tutoring session.  Ask her what she feels she needs help with in her class.

By putting the responsibility back on her, she will likely take accountability for her actions, will feel more involved in the tutoring process, and will behave more appropriately.

You can also ask her to "humor you" for the first 20 minutes of the session by going over the things that she "already knows."  After the 20 minute review, you can move on to the areas she feels more concerned with learning. 

It could be that she doesn't realize how rude she really is.  Yes, it sounds crazy, but you would be surprised how many people I've come across over the past few years who seem to be oblivious to their own rude behavior.  It is as if they are stunned when they find out that their behavior and actions are impolite.  Typically, once they know, they stop being so rude. 

It could also be that she is feeling self-conscious, nervous, and defensive about needing a tutor, or about not knowing the subject matter.  This could be especially true since she had to repeat the class once already. 

I once worked with a tutor whose nervous, self-conscious behavior manifested itself as anger and frustration.  He would get incredibly defensive and pretty angry whenever he didn't understand a concept.  Simply put, he was embarrassed by his academic inexperience.  When we started to go over something new, he would proclaim that he already knew what he was doing and didn't need help.

After talking openly about it (keeping the conversation bright, cheerful, and motivating the whole time) he admitted that he didn't feel very smart, and was embarrassed that his friends knew he had a tutor.  I let him know that a lot of different types of students get tutors, not just ones that aren't doing well in a class.  There are a lot of "A" students with tutors. 

I also made sure to encourage him as we worked, always letting him know that I was proud of his progress.  I let him know that even the most difficult concepts were learned by starting slowly, taking small steps, and building a knowledge foundation for more advanced concepts.

By keeping the tone upbeat and encouraging, things smoothed themselves out after a few more weeks.

Last but not least, the more negative side of my answer - if the situation doesn't improve, drop her as a client.  Life is too short to be abused by someone you are trying to help.  Most of the time, you will be able to fix the problems before you need to drop a client, but sometimes it is unavoidable.

Whatever happens, I wish you the best of luck, and please stop back to let us know how things shaped up for you!

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Photo credit: © imru2b12
http://www.sxc.hu/profile/imru2b12

Field Notes: Keeping my 8 year old tutee motivated.

When I saw the new field notes category, I couldn't help but be excited about posting something! 

What I want to share with all of you fellow tutors out there is a sure fire way to keep kids motivated while tutoring.  It has been working well for me for years.

Not only does this motivational technique work during tutoring, but it also keeps my tutee enthusiastic and on track in between tutoring sessions. 

The answer for me: charts and prizes.

Whenever I tutor my 8 year old tutee, we make sure to mark it on her chart with a little star sticker.  I carry the star stickers with me to every tutoring session, and I leave 4 charts - one for each week - with her mom.  I also leave a sheet of star stickers with my tutee's mom.

Whenever my tutee does the "in between" work (a worksheet that I leave for her to finish), her mom gives her chart another star.  She also gets a star for every book she reads in between our tutoring sessions (I tutor her in reading).  She can get up to 5 stars every week.

Then, she can "cash in" her chart for prizes at the end of the week, or collect them until she has a bunch of stars.  If my tutee has 5 stars, she can get a scented pencil, for 10 stars she can get a set of scented erasers, and so on.  Right now my tutee is saving up all of her stars in order to cash them in for a $10 gift certificate.

She has a lot of fun earning stars, and it definitely keeps her motivated to keep up with the learning!

Becca C., MN

New posting category! Stay tuned for "Field Notes"

© iprole

Hi, all, Micki here with some exciting news!

The ITA blog will now occasionally be posting something called "Field Notes."
What are "Field Notes" you ask? Good question!

Simply put, "Field Notes" will be guest posts by tutors who are working in the tutoring field.

So what qualifies as a Field Note?  Any thoughts on tutoring, great ideas, experiments that help a tutee learn, worksheet ideas, tutoring business advice, etc. will be considered for posting. 

So please don't be shy, tutors. You know you have something important to say to the tutoring community, and now is your chance to say it!

Happy tutoring, everyone, and I can't wait to read some of your field notes!

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Ask Micki: Last minute cancellations

© cema

Question:  Hi Micki,

I am looking for some tutoring business advice.  I work with about a dozen steady clients right now, and for the most part the business end of things has always run smoothly.

The problem I'm having is that one of my clients has a tendency to cancel at the last minute. 

The first time I figured, "no big deal," but it has happened every other week now for the past few months.  Most times he doesn't even bother to call or email, he just doesn't show up at our tutoring appointment.  It's not only kind of frustrating, but it also makes it difficult to schedule my time.

For the record, we tutor twice per week, Tuesday and Thursday, and I have been tutoring him for about 2 months now.

Any help in getting this situation figured out would be most appreciated.

Thank you!
Julie, music tutor

Answer: Hey Julie, thanks for your question.  Last minute cancellations can definitely throw a wrench into your tutoring schedule.  Plus, unless there are some good reasons, last minute cancellations are just plain rude when no notice is given.

The first thing I would do is have a talk with your tutor.

Communication is key here - sit down and talk about what has been going on with his schedule.  Talk about the frequency of the missed tutoring sessions.  Mention that you want to help him, but your schedules don't seem to be meshing, and maybe it is time to plan the tutoring sessions differently.

Talk to your tutee about setting up alternative arrangements for when and where to meet.  Is he getting stuck in traffic and can't make the appointments?  Maybe an earlier or later time would work, or maybe the location can be moved so that it is easier to get to on those days. 

Secondly, I would talk to him about setting up a way to contact you should he need to cancel the appointment for a good reason.  Make sure he has your phone number and email address, and let him know that you would appreciate some form of notice a few hours before the session begins.

I typically request cancellation 12 hours before the tutoring appointment, as this gives me enough time to fill that time slot, and avoid spending time and gas getting to an appointment that has been canceled.  I have also found that by requesting (not demanding) half a day's notice, I have fewer cancellations.

There are also those tutors who will have their tutees sign a contract stating that any cancellations not given within a specific time frame are subject to being charged as a "no show."  The rate on a "no show" charge can be anywhere from 1/2 of the tutoring session price to the full amount.

I'm kind of on the fence about this.  Here's why: unless the cancellation issue is being repeatedly abused, charging for a "no show" takes away some of the goodwill between you and your tutee.  In other words, it can make the tutoring relationship a little tense.  Plus, there are those times when a cancellation cannot be avoided (emergency situations), and charging a tutee for those times is not good business.  This technique is definitely a last resort to be reserved for situations when a tutee is obviously abusing the cancellation policies that are in place. 

Chances are you will never need to use the "no show" charge, and the situation will be easily fixed with a schedule change or a request for a few hours advance notice. 

Good luck, and happy tutoring!

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Ask Micki: My tutee is really shy - what to do?

© lusi

Question: Hi, Micki, I have a minor problem with one of my tutees.

You see, I started tutoring a kid in junior high who started out really shy.  I mean, he would barely say 10 words during the entire session, and it was tough to get him to say that much. 

Fast forward a few weeks: he is still just as shy as he was when we started out with our tutoring sessions.

Any ideas on what I can do to bring him out of his shell a little? 

I definitely respect that everyone is different, and that shy is OK.  In fact, I'm a little shy myself, and think that not everyone needs to be outgoing.  I am just hoping to make him a little more comfortable during tutoring so that he can get the most out of our session.

Thanks for your help,
J.A. from IA

Answer: Hey, J.A., thanks for your question!

First of all, I applaud you for being so open minded about personality differences.  So many people are not accepting of shyness and try to force everyone to be an extrovert, so I was impressed and happy to see your accepting attitude towards shyness.  Your tutee is a lucky kid!

That being said, there are a few ways to help your tutee more actively participate in the tutoring.

First step - ask lots of questions.  Don't make them interrogation style, rapid fire questions.  Instead, ask what your tutee thinks in a positive, enthusiastic tone.  By answering questions, and getting involved in learning the subject, your tutee cannot help but open up a bit more during tutoring.

Second step - praise the answers.  If your tutee is participating, and gives you a correct answer, make sure not to gloss over it and move on.  Take a few seconds to offer some praise, and a few words of encouragement.  If the answer isn't correct, praise your tutee for attempting an answer, and offer some words of encouragement about that.  Don't go over the top, though - be honest and genuine.

Third step - wrap ups, introductions, summaries, and more questions.  At the end of your tutoring session, take a few minutes and have your tutee summarize and wrap up what was learned.  Ask him if he has any questions.  Talk about the game plan for next week's tutoring, his homework, etc.  During your next session, warm up by asking him about the most exciting thing he learned during the week.

You get the idea - get your tutee talking not only about the tutoring, but about himself, his school, the material, etc.

Good luck, and happy tutoring!


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Big changes for ITA!

Change is in the air for ITA!  

To mark our 4 year anniversary, we're making some big changes to the look of the site.  We're updating, modernizing, and making it even more user friendly.

We will be making the switchover beginning Saturday (September 18th) at 8:00 PM (PST), and we are expecting that the majority of ITA's web pages will be sporting the new look by midnight Sunday (Sept. 19th). 

This will be a rolling switchover for the website, so there should be no interruption of service, and we don't anticipate any problems.

Hope you all like the new and improved ITA website!

~ ITA IT Staff

Ask Micki: ITA project question

© sxc.hu/lusi

 Question: Hi, Micki. I have a question that isn't technically a tutor-tutee question. It's more along the lines of an ITA question.

I was wondering if you could tell me a little bit more about how I would complete a project successfully for my ITA certification. 

I'd like to turn something in that is great, and I guess I'm kind of looking for some ideas and inspiration at this point. 

I'm an English and ESL tutor, by the way.

Thanks!
Brandi

Answer: Hey, Brandi, thanks for the question -  I'll do my best to be inspirational and throw some good ideas your way!

The subjects that you tutor definitely lend themselves to some great possibilities when it comes to your project.  A worksheet, for example, is a fantastic project.

A worksheet that tackles grammar or vocabulary is not only great for ITA certification, but also a great tool to take with you to your tutoring sessions.  One popular worksheet idea is an ESL activity that shows a calender with the days of the week listed below it.  The tutee then draws lines from the named day of the week to their positions on the calender.

Another idea: Squares of various colors on one side of the page, and a list of the color names on the other side of the page.  The tutee then draws lines from the color names to the appropriately colored squares.

Similarly, any type of ESL or English vocabulary worksheet is also a great choice for your project.  Think basic categories - months, seasons, days of the week, animals, food - all are perfect choices for vocabulary worksheets.

You can also create an activity or worksheet that deals with verbs, homonyms, antonyms, prepositions...the list goes on and on!  The key is to have fun, and be creative.

Think of things that will make your tutoring subject come to life.  Make a worksheet that you would want to work on as a tutee - something that would capture your interest, and make you want to learn more. 

Obviously, you'll want to use the above ideas as guidelines, and come up with your own unique ideas, but they are definitely a great starting place for your projects.

Good luck, and happy tutoring!
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© lusi
http://www.sxc.hu/profile/lusi

Ask Micki: How to Spark Math Enthusiasm.

© thegnome54

Question: Hi, Micki. I am working with a really great young kid who is just starting out in the world of mathematics.

We have just started working on the basics of addition and subtraction, but my tutee is kind of losing focus and excitement.  I think he's finding this a little tougher than it was at first, and his enthusiasm is waning a little.

Any idea how I can add some spark to the tutoring sessions, and make boring addition and subtraction more entertaining?

This will be his first year of school, and I am trying to get him started off on the right foot without boring him in the process - Thanks!
Pete W., WI

Answer: Hey, Pete, thanks for the great question! It's nice to know that there are tutors like you out there who are willing to go the extra mile to make math fun for kids!

The really good news is that addition and subtraction can both be made much more fun, for both you and your young tutee, by adding a few colorful games and puzzles into the mix. 

For example, maybe you can cut out some of his favorite shapes and work with those to physically show the results of adding and subtracting numbers.  If he loves dinosaurs, cut out 10 Triceratops, 10 T-Rex, 10 Pterodactyl, 10 Stegosaurus, 10 Plesiosaur...you get the idea.  Then, you two can take some time adding together each of the dinosaur types.

If we take away two Stegosauruses, how many do we have left?
Or: If we add three T-Rexes to five Triceratops, how many dinosaurs are there total?

You can also reach for some dice to add a gaming element to the math tutoring.  Dice have numbers (a necessity for adding and subtracting!), they are fun to roll, and (thanks to the dynamics of rolling the dice) they offer you an ever changing array of math possibilities.

Another popular method is to put together games and worksheets that look like tests or homework, but much more fun.  Brighten up boring black and white equations with some stickers and pictures.  Make up fun scenarios about why these equations have to be worked out - one tutor I knew created a whole scenario about a time machine, and how working out 10 equations would allow the time machine to take the tutee anywhere in time he wanted to go.

These fun versions of tests and homework sheets are also good, because they will help your tutee get used to the format of the tests and homework sheets he will see in school for the next several years.

And don't forget to check out the ITA resources for some addition and subtraction games that are sure to add some zest to your math tutoring!

Good luck and happy tutoring!
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10 Reasons Kids Need Summer Tutors-Reason #10

© sxc.hu/laura00

Hi, everyone. It's Charlie here, with reason #10 that a student may need some summer tutoring.

Reason #10: A student (or the parent(s) of the student) wants to get a jumpstart on the upcoming  semester's subject matter.

As the fall semester approaches, a lot of students (and their parents) start thinking about getting a head start on the upcoming classes. 


You might be working with a tutee who will be starting pre-algebra, or a student who is excited about taking her first Russian language class.  No matter what the upcoming course may be, a tutor can help give the tutee a helpful jumpstart for the upcoming course. 


A jumpstart is really beneficial, because it gets the tutee excited about the class, and that excitement can translate into long term success.  It also lays an educational foundation that will get your tutee a few steps ahead before the class even starts.


Getting a head start on coursework, even just by looking over an introduction to the coursework, can give your tutee a lot of confidence, too.  Imagine going into a new class, and already knowing the basic principles - now that's a recipe for confidence!

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© sxc.hu/laura00
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10 Reasons Kids Need Summer Tutors-Reason #9

Hi there, Charlie here with reason #9 kids may benefit from summer tutoring.

Reason #9: That last report card showed a drop in grades either during the school year or summer school.


For some students, grades fluctuate a little bit throughout their schooling years.  For example, I used to be terrible at math and science until I hit high school, then my grades picked up quite a bit.  My best friend had always been great at history, but even his grades fluctuated between As and Bs all through junior high and high school. 

The problem is, if an otherwise straight A and B student is suddenly bringing home Cs and Ds, there is a problem.

Sit down with your tutee and have a quick talk about what's going on.  Ask about the classes, homework, extracurricular activities, teachers - get a general picture of a day in the life of your tutee.  Ask your tutee why he or she has experienced a drop in grades.  Talk to the student's parent(s) if possible, and ask the same types of questions - maybe they have some insight into what's going on with your tutee's grades.

It could be that it was just a very difficult set of classes, maybe the schedule was too jam packed, your tutee could have test anxiety, or perhaps your tutee needs help organizing and prioritizing his or her daily study schedule.  


Whatever the case, if you are able to talk out the situation with your tutee, help him or her get organized, and instill in him or her a sense of confidence and enthusiasm, chances are the grades will show improvement during the next semester. 


It is also a good idea to continue the tutoring throughout the next semester just to make sure that the grades continue to improve, and to prevent a grade backslide during the semester. 

10 Reasons Kids Need Summer Tutors-Reason #8

© sxc.hu/ilco

Hi everyone, Charlie here with another reason why a student may need summer tutoring.

Reason #8: A student is trying to avoid going to school even though there is no bullying or other negative situation occurring.  

True, this can be a common complaint from students (and parents) everywhere, but avoidance of school is definitely something that can be lessened (or eliminated) during the summer.

Provided there is no bullying, and no other negative situation occurring at school, a desire not to go to classes could boil down to a few easily fixable reasons:

- no enthusiasm for the material or classes
- bored during class
- feeling overwhelmed by work
- a desire to have fun rather than sit in a classroom
- no confidence with the coursework
- test anxiety

Well, good news...I think you all know where I'm going with this by now...tutoring can help!

In situations involving a lack of enthusiasm for learning, tutors can play a big role in getting students hyped up about practically any subject - the wonders of science through cool experiments, the fun of English through story writing, even the excitement of mathematics through physics games or music.  Cases of boredom (assuming the tutee doesn't to be moved up a grade) can also be remedied by a tutor bringing in "real life," fun examples of class subjects.

Feeling overwhelmed by too much classwork or homework is also easily remedied by a few study habit modifications.  When I was a kid, I swore by the 80s favorite - the Trapper Keeper™!  I never went to school without it - I stored all of my class handouts, homework (both graded and pending assignments),  worksheets, even extra curricular information in that thing.  The point is that as soon as I got organized, my grades improved dramatically, and I no longer felt overwhelmed.  A quick chat with your tutee can help pinpoint areas where more organization is needed.

A desire to be out having fun rather than sitting in class (or work for us adults who are out of school) is another common complaint.  This one isn't really too difficult to tackle - an explanation of the time ratio can work wonders.  Sit down with your tutee and spend a few minutes going over how long classes are, and how long homework takes every day.  Then divide that by all the "awake" hours in the day - the classes and homework will most likely be a relatively small percentage of the total week's hours.  Explain how getting organized, and tackling homework ASAP can allow for more fun hours in the day, because all of the responsibilities for the day will be checked off the "to do" list.

No confidence with the coursework or test anxiety are also easily changeable by a great tutor.  Since this post is already pretty long (thanks for sticking with me this far), I'll point you to my other two blog postings that really get into detail about these two issues:
Self-esteem and confidence
Test anxiety

With some good tutoring, any of these problems can be a thing of the past for your tutee, and he or she will be ready to tackle the upcoming school year with renewed enthusiasm.
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10 Reasons Kids Need Summer Tutors-Reason #7

© sxc.hu/nazreth

Hi there, Charlie here with reason #7 kids may benefit from summer tutoring.

Reason #7: A student is not paying attention to his or her classes or homework.

Maybe you have a tutee who has stopped paying attention during class.  Honestly, we all been there - I was quite the doodler myself through a few years of school - but it is important to tackle the issue before the next semester begins.

Kids who are enthusiastic about a subject, are excited about learning something new, or are confident with a subject will always be more likely to pay attention during class.  Can you make geometry as thrilling as scuba diving?  Probably not, but you can make it fun and interesting enough that your tutee wants to pay attention!

During summer tutoring it is also good to tackle good vs. bad study habits.  Work with your tutee on scheduling time for homework, let him or her know that budgeting time for homework means more time later for fun. 

Talk to your tutee about how he or she works in class.  Get an idea of where they sit, who they sit with, what they do - look over some class notes and help them learn the best, most efficient way of taking notes.

Ask about homework and study habits.  Offer some effective learning and studying techniques so that your tutee can get the most out of his or her study time.

By making a subject more interesting, giving the tutee confidence, and helping your tutee develop better study habits you will be arming your tutee with knowledge, self-discipline, and self-esteem for the upcoming school year!
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10 Reasons Kids Need Summer Tutors-Reason #6

© sxc.hu/JoanaCroft

Hi, there, tutors. Charlie here with reason #6 kids may benefit from summer tutoring.

Reason #6: Test anxiety.


You have a tutee who has been talking about a big math test all week.  The problem is, the talk about the test is also accompanied by bitten nails, nervousness, a high degree of anxiety, or stomach aches.  This goes above and beyond the normal "kind of nervous about the math exam" response.  This is test anxiety, and it affects a multitude of students at every grade level.

The great news is, as with most academic issues, tutoring can help!  Summer tutoring helps calm students down when it comes to test taking.  Why?  Because, whether or not a student is in summer school, or taking a summer break, the monotony of the traditional school year has been broken.  The summer environment is different for the student, and it gives that student a chance to expand his or her horizons, open his or her mind to new ways of learning, gets the student out of the "exams=terrifying" mindset, and allows the student to take on new challenges without the added pressures of standard school issues.  In other words, change is good!  It breaks the cycle of negative thinking for students, to some degree, and gives the tutor a chance to step in and help.

To get your tutee geared up for upcoming exams, make sure to talk to the student about how he or she is feeling. 

Work with the material that will be on the exam - nothing beats test anxiety like confidence in the subject matter.

Put together a few "low pressure" practice tests, or worksheets to get the tutee used to working on test materials.  When the tutee is comfortable with the materials, try using a timer to get the tutee used to working under a deadline. 

I have used these techniques for some of my test anxiety tutees, and the results have always been phenomenal.  It may not happen overnight, but it will happen!
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10 Reasons Kids Need Summer Tutors-Reason #5

© lusi

Hi, there, tutors. It's Charlie again, with reason #5 to look for when evaluating students who may need some summer tutoring.

Reason #5: No matter how much time a student puts in, homework is always incomplete or done incorrectly. 

It's a fact of life - most students don't enjoy sitting down to do homework, especially during "summer break." This becomes even more of an issue when you notice that a student complains of homework sessions that last for hours, only to result in incomplete or incorrectly completed assignments.  This can be frustrating for the student, and in the long run, can hurt the student's grades. 

The good news? Tutoring can help these students work more efficiently, and get better homework results in less time. 

When you are asked to tutor, spend a few minutes talking to your tutee about his or her homework.  How long is a typical homework session? How often do they do homework (every night, every other night, etc.)? How have the homework grades been so far? Does your tutee feel that he or she is doing their best on the homework assignments?

Since homework can be a major part of a class, it will definitely be worth spending a few minutes talking about it with your tutee, and the results for your tutee will be phenomenal.  Also, keep in mind that as your tutee gains more confidence and knowledge of a subject, the homework grades are also likely to improve as your tutee gets more practice with the subject matter. 

By tackling both aspects of tutoring (study habits and the class subject), you are practically guaranteed to have a happy, successful tutee.
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10 Reasons Kids Need Summer Tutors-Reason #4

© cienpies

Hi folks, Charlie here with another reason why a student may need summer tutoring.

Reason #4 : Self esteem and confidence.

Maybe you will be helping a young student who has low self-esteem after receiving a few less than stellar grades during the school year.  Maybe she is discouraged after finding out that summer school is needed.  Maybe you are working with a student who feels like he just "can't do it," or feels that the classes are way too difficult.  Perhaps you are dealing with a student who is lacking confidence after not doing well on an exam. Or maybe you are working with a young scholar who is battling low self-esteem that stems from social situations at school.

In any case, tutoring will help!

Kids often need a helpful self-esteem boost in the form of achievements and academic experience, and tutoring is an exemplary way or providing that.  I have worked with young students who, at the beginning of our tutoring sessions, were nervous, apprehensive about school, scared of giving presentations, ridicules his or her own flaws, petrified by exams, etc.

By the end of the first month of tutoring, each and every one of these students was feeling confident, able, proud of his or her accomplishments, enthusiastic,  and ready to take on the challenges of the upcoming semester.

It is a fantastic feeling as a tutor to take your tutee from apprehensive student, to enthusiastic scholar who is ready to take on the world!
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10 Reasons Kids Need Summer Tutors-Reason #3

© beni_bb

Hi there, Charlie here with reason #3 kids may benefit from summer tutoring.

Reason #3: A teacher has recommended summer tutoring to help a student who needs an academic boost.

A teacher is often the first person to realize that a little (or a lot) of help is needed for a student in addition to what's can be  given in the classroom.  This is especially true in the summer - think about it, a teacher reviews the grade book, and knows a student could do better, but a subject hasn't clicked for them yet.

In this case, you'll often be called upon to help bring the student up to speed for an upcoming class, or even a class that might need to be repeated. 

This is a great opportunity for you as a tutor, because it gives you the chance to not only help a student understand the academic concepts of a specific course, but it also gives you a chance to instill a sense of self-confidence and enthusiasm in a potentially nervous student.
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10 Reasons Kids Need Summer Tutors-Reason #2

Copyright: lm913

Hi, all, Charlie here with reason #2 kids may benefit from summer tutoring.

Reason #2: He or she needs to prepare for a standardized test.
Right now, a number of students are gearing up to take the SAT, ACT, or some other standardized test during the school year.  Tutoring can be extremely beneficial for these students who need to brush up on material, refresh study skill techniques, or improve their scores on practice tests.

Tutoring can also be a boon for those students who just have some general anxiety about the test, and need some confidence to quell their nerves.

Whatever the case, tutoring can be a huge help for these students, and summer is often a superb time to help them prepare for otherwise intimidating academic tests. 
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10 Reasons Kids Need Summer Tutors-Reason #1

Copyright: dynamix

Summertime.  Beach parties, swimming, ice cream...it can also be the perfect time for tutoring.
No, I'm not kidding!

Hi all, Charlie here with 10 reasons that summer tutoring is a great idea.  "Why am I tackling this in August?" you may ask - a few reasons:

* It can be a great to let kids have a little bit of a breather in between the school year and summer classwork/tutoring.
* You may be able to get a child excited about the upcoming school year with some fun, summer tutoring.
* It is still early enough that kids remember what they learned during the last school year, and this will be a great way of giving them a jumpstart for the fall.
* Some children have year round school - summer is just another season of learning for these youngsters.
* You can improve confidence, self-esteem, and knowledge by tutoring a kid during the summer. 

Now, without further ado, here is the first reason kids may benefit from summer tutoring.

Reason #1: Sometimes Kids Need Motivation Boosters!
Maybe you know a child who is notorious for making up excuses for why things can't be done - excuses for everything from not completing projects, to unfinished homework, to not studying for upcoming tests.

Maybe, as a parent, you have tried everything under the sun to get him or her to focus on finishing tasks, improve study habits, and tackle school projects.  Now that you've tried begging, pleading, nagging, and bribery (kidding! Well...kind of kidding...), try tutoring.  


Tutoring will help a child get excited about learning and achieving as he or she sees positive progress, and gets feedback from his or her tutor.  Tutoring also makes kids more accountable for the work that they bring home, and they will be much more likely to complete academic tasks if they own the work and know that the tutor will be asking about progress.

Stay tuned for summer tutoring reason #2!
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Ask Micki: Homework Problems

Question: Hi, Micki, I have an issue with a tutee (I tutor her in trigonometry) who is constantly trying to sneak in her homework during the sessions.  In other words, she tells me that we are working on practice problems, but in reality, she is trying to get me to do her homework for her so that she can go hang out with her friends.

It's getting kind of annoying.  Any ideas for how to handle this?

Thanks!
Becky

Answer: Hi, Becky - I think you hit on a good topic here.  A lot of tutors have been where you are, and many of them have had to (at some point in time) deal with a dishonest tutee who would rather you were a homework completion service. 

It's a common misconception that tutors are, essentially, glorified homework services.  It doesn't help that there are a ton of places out there that use the name "tutor" for their business when, in reality, they are simply completing the student's homework. 

Although the students may love this service short term, in the long run it will be detrimental to their overall learning.  True "tutoring" takes place when tutors help students actively learn the *techniques* needed to solve problems, allowing the tutee to use the skills on his or her own - a gift that will last them a lifetime.

Okay - rant over :-)

Your ultimate goal during a tutoring session is to allow your tutee to take responsibility for his or her learning.  You are working together to create an independent learner who can master the techniques needed not only for homework, but for tests as well.

So how do you do that?

First, create an environment where your tutee is holding the pencil, working on the problems herself.  You simply sit back, and watch her work.  If you notice that your tutee is having trouble with a problem, jump in, and help her remember the techniques and steps in solving the problem.  Trust me, if you repeatedly remind her of the principles of trigonometry, and how they work in practice, eventually she'll be doing them on her own, and feeling great about her progress.

Second, let her know that you two can work on some of her homework, as long as she is doing the work and implementing the principles and math techniques that you two are going over during the session. 

No, you won't be doing her homework, but you will be arming her with the tools she needs to do her own homework.  She'll eventually be working out problems right in front of you. 

You see, the issue isn't the homework, per se, it is who is doing the homework.  If you two go over some trig. principles, and she is able to master them via her homework problems, then you've done your job!

Also, by letting her know that you are on to her homework-sneaking tricks, you can stop the issue in its tracks while still offering your help.  It is a win-win!

Good luck out there, and happy tutoring!

Message from Micki-Keep those questions coming!

Hi, all! 

With summer comes a break from all things academic (for some of the population, anyway), but don't let that stop you from writing in with your great questions for me!

It's your questions that make the ITA blog so helpful to so many of your fellow tutors.  No question is too small or too big - I am happy to tackle whatever you throw my way.  So keep 'em coming, folks, and thanks to all of you who have made this blog so great (and so useful) to the tutoring community.

Happy (summer) tutoring!

Ask Micki: Lacrosse tutoring job

Question: Hi, there, Micki. I have a question tutoring a non-academic subject.

I was recently contacted about tutoring a sport (Lacrosse), but I have never tutored anything other than academic subjects.   Feels more like coaching than tutoring. The Lacrosse player basically wants to brush up on skills with a goal of making the team this coming fall. 

Any advice would be appreciated.  Thanks!

Alexis, PA

Answer: Hi, Alexis - good question.  I tend to look at both tutoring and coaching in kind of the same way...In both circumstances, you're helping someone learn a set of skills.  In this case, instead of having a student who needs help with French, you have a player who needs help with Lacrosse techniques.  In other words, you are a Lacrosse tutor. 

You are also entering some exciting territory - we are seeing more and more tutors who are specializing, and using their tutoring skills to help people with non-academic tutoring needs.  Music, dance, sports...the number of tutors who specialize in non-academic tutoring is growing by leaps and bounds!

My advice would be to treat this very similarly to how you would treat any other tutoring session.  Stick to your typical rates, show up on time, be punctual, keep the tutoring session focused and professional, keep accurate billing records, communicate effectively, etc.

This is just like any of your other tutoring sessions, except instead of meeting behind a desk, you'll be meeting out on the field.

Good luck, and happy tutoring!

Ask Micki: ITA final project idea

Question: Hi Micki, I was thinking of doing a math maze for my final ITA project. Basically, it would be a maze that has a path of letters, and the end goal would be a final number (the sum of all of the numbers if you follow the correct path).

This math maze would be for grade school kids.  Good idea or not?

Thank you,
Marvin from NH

Answer: Hey, Marvin - way to make math fun! I think that the math maze would be not only a great project for your certification, but also a great tool to take with you during your math tutoring sessions.

A really good idea - can't wait to see it in the resource bank once you get it perfected. 
Happy tutoring!

Ask Micki: Tutee who HATES summer school

Question: Hi, Micki. I am tutoring a junior high kid in algebra, and he is not excited at all. He hates the fact that he's in summer school, and mentions (at least a dozen times per tutoring session) how he'd rather be having fun with his friends instead of studying.  To top it off, it's math, which as you probably know, isn't the most popular subject offered.

Any ideas or suggestions on how to perk up my bummed out tutee?
Thanks,
Allison C. in NJ

Answer: Hi, Allison.  I feel your pain...and the pain of your tutee - I had to take a summer trigonometry class myself back in high school, and it wasn't as fun as the swimming and beach BBQs I had been planning!

Believe it or not, what helped me most of all was time.  As I got to know my tutor, saw my grades improve, and realized that I could swim and BBQ after finishing my homework, an interesting thing happened - I started getting interested in the subject matter.  I think, sometimes, summer school students are so ticked off at missing out on vacation time that they resist being excited about tutoring or their classwork. 

Give him some time.  Chances are, he'll realize that summer tutoring isn't so bad after all, and there is still plenty of vacation time to enjoy.

If you want to speed things along, mention how much time he has after summer school/tutoring to hang out with his friends.  If you're feeling ambitious, calculate how many non-summer school, non-tutoring hours of vacation time he has to enjoy - chances are, it is way more than he thinks!

You could also try a change of scenery - find a large table to work at in the backyard, meet at an air conditioned library, etc.  Find a place that gives your tutee the feel on not being stuck at home, while also being a place that isn't distracting during tutoring.

You know what else helped me through my summer as a math tutee?  Having a friend with me.  No, I'm not talking about a distracting friend who snacks and plays video games while your tutee tries to work. :-)  

I'm talking about a friend who worked with me - we worked together on homework and during tutoring, challenging each other to be our best. 

Ask your tutee if he has a friend who is taking the same summer course.  If he does, and you feel comfortable with it, offer to tutor in a mini-group environment.  See if your tutee might be interested in having a tutoring group/study group with his friend.  It may make it a bit more entertaining for him, and it will let your tutee know that he is not the only kid in summer school.

Good luck, and happy tutoring!

Notes from Charlie: Free tutoring

Recently, I had the opportunity to give something away to a group of people who were really enthusiastic about my gift.  It felt amazing!

What was I handing out to people? My tutoring services!

While on vacation, I had a chance to travel to the southern US (a few weeks, visiting family), and help out some local families who needed tutors for their kids who were taking summer classes. 

Many families were advertising (via flyers) that they needed the tutoring help.  Sadly, they were having a tough time getting tutoring help, because there was very little payment involved. 
Very sad, but true. 

Unfortunately, the area that I was visiting is an area of the US that has been devastated by the gulf oil spill, and parents who would have otherwise been paying standard rates for tutoring are now having a difficult time making ends meet.

So, I contacted some of these parents while I was there, and offered my tutoring services free of charge.

The parents were thrilled, and I felt great being able to help out - it was great for all of us!

What about your community? 
Are there any families who might appreciate a free gift of tutoring?
Might be a good thing to check out...trust me, it feels great!

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Photo Credits: © 0Odyssey0
http://www.sxc.hu/profile/0Odyssey0

Ask Micki: How to answer a rude, nosey question?

Question: Hi, Micki, I just came back from a family dinner, and I had a family member (he's kind of our family's resident bully) ask me, "So, when are you going to get a traditional, real job?"  Ouch.

Tutoring is a real job - it is my chosen career.  A career that I love.  

I was offended and, even though I said that I *did* have a "real job," I wish I could have said more to defend myself.  The truth is, I was hurt and flustered from what felt like a criticism of my career choice.  


Any ideas what I can say the next time I have someone ask me about my tutoring career?
Thanks,
Anonymous

Answer: Hi, there, Anonymous.  First of all, I am really sorry that you had to go through that.  Family members, well meaning or otherwise, often say some pretty off the wall things that have the potential to be really hurtful. 

The good news is - you were completely right!  

Tutoring is, indeed, a career choice (just like someone choosing to be an investment banker, artist, musician, coach, teacher, etc.).

When I was in high school I knew, without a doubt, that I wanted to be a tutor.  It was fun helping the other students out, I made some extra money, and  I improved my own grades by brushing up on the material.  


Thirty years later that excitement about tutoring hasn't waned - it is still a fantastic career!


As for the "traditional" job part - what could be more traditional than tutoring?  It was the only method of teaching back in ancient times.  That's pretty traditional if you ask me!

Getting back to the modern era...To be a tutor, a person must have a passion for learning, dedication to career development, the ability to be patient, an enthusiasm for academic material, and the ability to listen and lead a discussion.  It is, in essence, teaching on a much more personal, one-on-one level.


Tutoring is rewarding, too, on every level - including the financial level.  Anyone who defines a "successful" career as one that pays well (I won't even get into how I feel about that :-) , will be pleased to know that dedicated, driven tutors bring in a very good salary.   

In fact, like many freelance style careers, the earning potential of tutoring is unlimited!   A yearly salary comparable to other (more "traditional") professions is the norm.

Even better, during both a recession and times of prosperity, freelancers continue to stay ahead of the curve with job security.   I never had to worry about getting laid off, since I was not about to lay off myself! :-)  

All joking aside, I had a few clients drop off for a while, but the overall job stability and income level stayed pretty constant throughout the bumpy economy.  


Most importantly, if you love what you do, and you love to tutor - embrace it, and be proud of what you do!

As always - happy tutoring! 

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Photo credit: ba1969 ©
http://www.sxc.hu/profile/ba1969