Ask Micki: Non-academic Tutoring?

Question: Hi, Micki. I have a chance to tutor a subject that is not an academic subject, but I'm not sure about taking the job.

You see, usually I tutor English, but I also play the guitar. Recently one of my English tutoring clients asked if it would be willing to tutor her in guitar, too. I'm really used to the English tutoring style (essays, grammar, etc.), but I have never tutored a non-academic subject. Should I go for it? Is there anything I need to know or do differently for music tutoring?

Thanks for the help - Tony P., English Tutor, from Mt. Pleasant, SC

Answer: Hi, Tony! First off, yes, I would definitely take the guitar tutoring gig if you feel comfortable enough with your skill set to pass along your knowledge. Tutoring, whether a nontraditional or academic subject, is all based off of the same principle - to help a tutee master a set of skills.

Tutoring music is a lot like tutoring any other subject. You will be helping your tutee learn skills (guitar chords, music reading, etc), that she can put into action. The only difference is that instead of turning in a paper, she'll be strumming a song.

I know a lot of music tutors who also tutor academic subjects, and they actually prefer the convenience of being able to tutor multiple subjects with a tutee they already familiar with - there are a lot of benefits with this arrangement: you already have a great working relationship with your tutee, you already know his/her learning style, you know the route to the tutoring location, you know how the tutoring session will go, etc..

Even better, some of these tutors have told me that tutoring something a little more fun, like music or sports, actually improved their academic tutoring sessions. One tutor I spoke with told me that tutoring clarinet once a week with his tutee improved their tutoring relationship, and made their math tutoring a lot more relaxed and effective.

So, the quick answer to your question is: Yes! I would go for it - Have fun branching out and tutoring something a bit outside of your norm!

Good luck, and happy tutoring!

Ask Micki: Negative Tutee

Question: Hi, Micki! I'm an English tutor who has been having some trouble with a tutee being really negative. Every time we get together for tutoring, he tells me "my professor hates me," "English stinks," "my professor wants us all to fail," etc. I've tried boosting his confidence during tutoring, but it's not helping. The tutoring sessions are really negative, and I think it is preventing him from learning the material. What to do?

Thanks,
Michelle W., English Tutor from Madison, WI

Answer: Hi, Michelle. Sorry to hear that your tutoring session have been such a downer. Negativity can drag down even the most positive tutor, and can be tough on both the tutor and the tutee. Since your tutee is frustrated with his course, maybe you could approach his learning style during tutoring. Maybe respond with something like:

"Sorry to hear that this class is giving you a hard time this semester. Let's check out a few of the things that are giving you grief. I'm sure we'll be able to work through the problems together, and give you a good understanding of the material."

" I don't think that your professor hates you. He/she may just have a different learning style than you do. Let's go through the material together so that you'll have a great understanding of things, even if your professor isn't totally clear."

"Let's review how you've been studying and doing your essays/homework. Maybe we can find some ways to streamline things a bit, and make your homework (and lecture) time less stressful."

Notice, in all of these responses, you're getting your tutee actively involved in finding tutoring solutions with you.

Now there are those rare cases when a professor and student really don't get along, or the professor is simply (forgive my tactless word choice) a jerk. In those cases, your tutee may not be able to solve things through tutoring. If the professor is really awful, he/she may need to go to the school administration to figure things out.

That being said, a lot of students are convinced that they have a prfoessor who is trying to fail everyone in the class. In most of those cases, a different learning approach during tutoring can help. And remember, a positive tutor can work wonders for confidence, self-esteem, and learning.

Good luck an, as always, happy tutoring!

Ask Micki: 3 Hours of Tutoring?

Question: Hi, Micki. I have a question about how long is too long for weekly tutoring sessions. I tutor a college student in Chemistry, and he was letting me know about his class schedule this semester. My tutee is carrying a lot of units, and was wondering if we could do a three hour tutoring session once a week instead of our usual three-one hour tutoring sessions. Any thoughts on this tutoring idea?

- Chem Tutor in SC

Answer: Hi Chem Tutor - good question! The short answer to your tutee's question is "no." For weekly tutoring, the three hour session is typically not the best way to go for a variety of reasons: concentration, tutoring burn out, knowledge retention, and test schedule incompatabilities are some of those reasons.

A three hour chemistry class would be bad enough, but having to stay focused and eager to learn during three hours of tutoring is nearly impossible. Plus, having to remember important details and concepts for six days straight could be a problem, particularly during exam time.

My advice would be to sit down with your tutee and try to find three mutually workable days/times for your tutoring meetings. If there is any way that you can fit in three one hour tutoring sessions, or even two 90 minute tutoring sessions, I would definitely do that.

Maybe, to make things easier, you two could meet at the school's library, at a halfway point, on weekends, early mornings, or later at night? Stop back and let us know how things work out for you!

And, as always, happy tutoring!

Ask Micki: How to Price Tutoring Services

Question: Hi, Micki. I am a new tutor (just got my ITA certification, and have been tutoring elementary school-high school math for a few weeks), and I am having a hard time pricing my tutoring services. I don't want to overcharge for tutoring, but I also don't want to price myself so low that I am looked at as a bargain tutor who isn't good enough to be competitively priced. Any tips?

Thanks!
Amy, a new tutor

Answer: Hi, Amy, thanks for the question! Pricing can be a tricky thing for tutors, especially when they are just starting their tutoring career. On one hand, you don't want to price yourself too low and give the impression that your tutoring is not worth a higher price (not to mention the fact that it would be hard to make a living as a tutor if you charged rock bottom prices). On the other hand, you don't want to charge so much that no one can afford your tutoring.

Generally, about $25-$35 an hour is pretty standard, but I have talked to a few tutors who charge upwards of $70 per hour. Likewise, I have talked to a few tutors who charge lower rates ($17-$20/hour) for friends and family.

Usually, a good guideline is that the more difficult the subject matter, the higher the price.

So, a tutor who tutors a college student in Linear Algebra or calculus will typically charge more than a tutor who tutors a first grader in fractions.

Your rate can also vary by region - I notice that tutors in college towns and larger cities usually charge a bit more than tutors who work in smaller, more rural communities.

Good luck, and as always - Happy Tutoring!

Happy 2010!

A quick blog posting from all of us at ITA to say Happy New Year everyone!

Wishing all of you a joyous 2010!

Tips from Charlie: Holiday Gifts

Tips from Charlie: Holiday Gifts

Hi, everyone! Charlie the tutor here with a great holiday tip for all of my fellow tutors.

Have you noticed that around this time of year, people start buying gifts for neighbors, postal workers, babysitters, etc.?

Well, a few years ago I started thinking - why not apply the same festive attitude towards tutees and parents?

For example, this year for many of my tutees (or their parents), I have made up some "gift cards" that offer them 30 free minutes of tutoring during the new year. They can use this card for a quick test prep tutoring session, or apply it to one of our regular tutoring sessions.

For tutees (and parents) I have been working with longer (at least 6 months), I made up cards offering them one full tutoring session for free. I gave them a bit more of a "holiday gift," because I have contracts and long-term professional relationships with these tutees and parents.

I also make sure to hae some festive, holiday pencils and erasers for the kids I tutor. It may be a small token, but the gesture is appreciated by the children and their parents.

I do this mostly because I am a festive guy, and like to show my appreciation for the tutoring business tutees and parents have given me over the past year. I want them to know that I am happy having them as my clients.

Also, by showing my gratitude, I am furthering the loyalty of my clients; I am letting them know that they are appreciated, and offering them an incentive to continue using my tutoring services.

I have been doing this for 2 years, now, and it has worked out great for me. Give it a try, and see how it works for you!
~ Charlie

Delay in posting!

Hi, readers!
Just wanted to say a quick sorry for the delay since the last ITA Blog post. Apparently the entry I typed up last week disappeared into cyberspace. (side note - remind me not to use the auto-post feature next time :-)

As soon as I hunt the article down on my hard drive, I'll be posting it here - and you won't want to miss it! It is a posting about how to price your tutoring services, so stay tuned!

Micki

Ask Micki: Tutoring Website

Question: Hi, Micki. I have a question about advertising my tutoring via the web. I was thinking of setting up a website for my tutoring services, but am not sure how to get people to it. Any words of wisdom on how to get the word out about my (upcoming) tutoring site? Thanks!

~ Charlie, a tutor from Redlands, CA

Answer: Hi, Charlie - thanks for the great question!A lot of people, both tutors and other professionals, struggle with this. Here are 5 ways that you can make your tutoring website a success!

1. Get the word out the old fashioned way: business cards and word of mouth. Make sure that your tutoring site URL is listed on every piece of paper that leaves your hands (business cards, letterhead, etc). That way, when people need a tutor, they can look down at your card, and easily locate your site. Word of mouth is also a powerful way to get noticed. Tell *everyone* you know about your spiffy new site. Friends, family, and clients are great places to start - after all, you never know who those people may know!

2. Focus on Search Engine Optimization (SEO) and keywords. No, I don't mean using the words "tutor" and "tutoring" every other word. The trick to keywords is using them naturally in the text while still making sure that the words show up often. Also, keep in mind that there may be other variations on your chosen words, and you'll want to include them, too. For example, "tutors" and "tutoring" may also be listed as "learning specialist," or "homework helper." Use as many relevant keywords as you can related to tutors and tutees, and web crawlers will have no trouble finding your site!

3. Submit your tutor services site to places like Google. Submit your URL to a few search engines, and you will get noticed faster. You are trying to get your site noticed, so why not make it easier for people to search for you?

4. Start a tutoring blog. A tutoring or learning blog can be a great way to drive traffic to your tutor site. After all, you will be offering people valuable (and entertaining) information relevant to tutoring, and you will be including a lot of tutor relevant keywords, too! Plus, writing about what you do is great way to learn more about it - keep up the life long learning, and both you and your tutees will benefit!

5. Offer easy ways for others to spread the word. Include "tell a friend" buttons, offer promotional tutoring discounts for referrals, and think of ways to get other people excited about your site. Keeping people coming back, and having loyal customers talk about your site, is a great way to get repeat visits.

Good luck and, as always, happy tutoring!

Ask Micki: Do tutoring/learning contracts work?

Question: Hi, Micki. I am pretty new to the world of math and science tutoring and was wondering whether I should bother with a learning contract. Do they work, or is it a waste of time?

Thanks!
Joe, a math and science tutor from Northern California.

Answer: Hi, Joe - thanks for the great question! I've been hearing quite a bit about learning and tutoring contracts lately, and I happen to think that they can be a great tool for your tutoring sessions.

A tutoring or learning contract is basically an informal document that the tutor and tutee (and/or tutee's parents) sign. It is a written promise that the tutor will provide stellar tutoring, and that the tutee will put in his or her best effort, do all of the tutoring assignments, be at the tutoring sessions on time, participate in the tutoring sessions, etc.

Essentially, it helps keep the tutee accountable for learning the material, taking an active role in the tutoring sesisons, and giving 100% at each tutoring session. It also (from the tutee's point of view) keeps the tutor accountable for providing the best tutoring possible.

Some people also choose to incorporate the business contract (i.e. pay rate, when the tutor will be paid, etc.) into the learning contract, but I choose not to do this.

In my opinion, it is a better idea to keep the business contract separate from the learning contract. The tutoring/learning contract should be all about learning, not clouded by business details.

It is also a great idea to make a copy of the contract so that you, your tutee, and (if needed) your tutee's parents all have the document to reference at a later date.

There are some great learning contracts available in the ITA Resource Bank, so take a look around, and try using one of these great tools out at your next tutoring session!

Good luck and, as always, happy tutoring!

Ask Micki: Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde Tutee

Question: Hello, Micki. I'm having a small problem that I am hoping you could help me with. My tutee, I'll call him Charlie, is a really friendly guy normally. We are actually friends at our university (we're freshmen), and I tutor him in Calculus on the weekends.

The problem is, during our tutoring sessions, Charlie is a totally different person. He gets really defensive when he doesn't know the answer to a question, criticizes the way I try to help him, is generally cranky, and sometimes he outright lies about knowing how to do a problem even when he really doesn't.

I don't know what to do. We're pretty good friends outside of the tutoring sessions, so it is kind of an awkward situation.

Thanks for your help!
~ Anonymous Math Tutor from Lansing, MI

Answer: Hi, there, Anonymous Math Tutor - sounds like an awkward situation, without a doubt!

First off, if the situation is really bad, and it is truly uncomfortable tutoring Charlie, it may be best to look elsewhere for a tutee. Dropping a tutee is difficult, but can become necessary if the sessions are uncomfortable to the point of being unproductive.

Some personalities mesh wonderfully in friendship, but not so well professionally.

That being said...Believe it or not, I've heard of this happening quite a bit with friends who start tutoring together. The thing is your friend/tutee is feeling kind of self-conscious right now because he is, essentially, admitting that you may know a bit more about math than he does.

He's putting himself out there and accepting help, not an easy thing for some people to do.

Charlie may also be having a tough time separating the business side of his life (tutoring sessions) with the personal side of his life (your friendship).

Add to that the fact that he is probably a little apprehensive about his class, new environment, grades, etc., and you can see how the situation may be a bit more tense than your usual tutoring sessions.

The good news is that practically every one I have talked to who has had this problem has told me that it just takes time and patience for the situation to take care of itself.

Be patient with Charlie, let him know that he is doing a great job, ask him about his class outside of your usual tutoring sessions, and let him know that you understand how difficult Calculus can be.

Most of all, stay friendly and professional during tutoring, and eventually you and Charlie will have a much better tutoring relationship.

Good luck, and as always, happy tutoring!

Ask Micki: Question from a writing tutor

Question: Hi, Micki. My question is regarding not doing your tutee’s homework. I am a writing tutor and a lot of my tutees want to “go over” papers they have written prior to turning them in. I get the feeling that some of them want me to review their work and correct it for them. I don’t want them turning in my work, but I still want to help them with their paper. Do you have any suggestions?

Thanks,
Alfred N.


Answer: Hi, Alfred. Thanks for your question. What you are describing is a very common scenario for writing tutors; I've even run across the problem myself from time to time. Here is a technique that is used regularly by seasoned writing tutors:

Read through your tutee’s paper and make mental notes on any common or recurring errors made.

Put the paper aside and address each error one at a time.

Discuss any rules or techniques for dealing with the particular error. Have your tutee practice the new skill, and when you are convinced that they are ready, move on to the next problem area.

Finally, return to their paper, but this time, have them read it, identify any errors that you previously addressed, and suggest corrections to their paper.

This technique allows you to identify and address a tutee’s weaknesses, while at the same time allowing them to take responsibility for their own work.

Good luck, and as always, happy tutoring!

Change is in the air for the ITA blog!

Just a quick entry to let you all know that the ITA blog is undergoing some exciting changes.

After receiving a lot of email requests, and doing quite a few interviews, we have decided to entrust most of the blog postings to 2 of our resident ITA experts.

Of course, there will still be postings by the staff here at ITA, but a lot of our posts will be from these two fantastic contributors:

So who are they?

- Micki Henson has been a tutor for 15 years and tutors a wide variety of subjects and age groups, from adult ESL to grade school mathematics. Micki will be handling our new ITA Blog feature known as, "Ask Micki," an advice column that tackle all of the questions that come to us every week. She can be reached at MHenson@itatutor.org.

- Charlie Ryan has been tutoring for nearly 10 years now and specializes in mathematics, computers, and engineering. Charlie will be the blog contributor who discusses tutoring as a business, session tips and techniques, and tutoring issues in general. He can be reached at CRyan@itatutor.org.

We are very excited about these recent changes and hope that you will be, too!

And if you have any questions or comments, please feel free to email us or ask away on Twitter.

Starting a Tutoring Business

Whether the economy is good or bad, freelance tutoring businesses always seem to do well. Tutoring is a great choice for a home business because you get to help students achieve their goals, work hours that are convenient for you, and it is a business that has low overhead and start up costs.

Besides learning the basics of good tutoring, practically all you will need to start a tutoring business is passion for the profession and some general office supplies. Here's what I used to get started last year. Typically, I carry all of this in one messenger bag so that it is always convenient for me to grab as I head out to new sessions, or potential clients' homes.:

1. ITA Certificate
I have my ITA certificate copied so that I can take it with me to my interview sessions when I am getting to know my potential client(s). By showing my certificate to my tutees, or for younger tutees their parents, I am able to show off my credentials - that I have learned how to tutor and that I have trained to be the best tutor available.

2. Timesheets
I always keep these in my bag so that I can fill them out and have them initialed by my tutee (or the tutee's parent) on site immediately after the session ends. This eliminates any potential billing issues down the road.

3. Paper
I always take lots of scratch paper with me. I primarily tutor math and programming languages and my tutee and I go through a lot of paper.

4. Pencils
I can never have too many pencils with me. They allow a little flexibility during the session, since mistakes can be easily erased and the problem can be attempted again without blotches of ink intimidating my tutee.

5. Learning activities
I have developed some activities for different age groups so that, no matter who I am tutoring, there is something fun and engaging for us to do if the session starts to get a bit stale. I have also used some of the activities on the site in the resources section.

6. Laptop (optional)
Because I tutor computer programming, I always have my laptop in my messenger bag. However, if you tutor something that doesn't require laptop, I definitely wouldn't bother bringing it with you.

As far as supplies, that is about it!

But where do you tutor? What do you charge? And how do you get clients?

As far as where I tutor - I choose to go to the tutor's homes. This is more convenient for them, and I have never had anyone suggest another location. My friend, on the other hand, is an ESL tutor who typically only tutors at the local schools and libraries. He finds that many of his tutees are most comfortable with this option. It is important to communicate with your tuttee (or tutee's parents) to determine the best place for your sessions to take place. If your tutee is more comfortable at a local library, then by all means, tutor him or her at the local library. online tutoring is another option that is growing increasingly popular, but I don't have experience with this form of tutoring session...not yet anyway!

When it comes to charging, this is a bit more difficult to answer. Different tutors charge different prices depending not only on their geographic area, but also their subject area expertise. A math tutor in Manhattan, NY will most likely be able to charge more than a history tutor in small town Tennessee. This is not to say that there aren't exception to the rule, but in general, these are the two aspects that will influence session fees. I charge between $35-$40 per hour for both math and computer sessions. My ESL tutor friend charges between $25-$35 per hour, depending on the situation. In the small town where he lives, he charges at the low end of the scale. When he tutors in the nearby college town, on the other hand, he raises his rates a bit. Check out some tutors in your area to get an idea what they are charging. Then, price your services accordingly.

Now on to the part that a lot of people dread - getting new clients. The first thing you'll want to do is establish what I like to call "paper credibility." That is, credentials and other experience that you can write down and show to potential customers. Like I said just above, I always take my tutor training certificate so my clients know that I have been trained in the art of tutoring. I also take along a quick resume that details some past clients, my areas of expertise, how long I have been a tutor. I have also been fortunate enough to have a few of my past clients agree to be contacted by potential clients - in other words, I have references!

I also make sure to get the word out that I am a tutor looking for business. I tell friends, family, even strangers. You never know who will need tutoring...or who will know someone who needs tutoring. I also make up flyers and put them up (with permission) at local colleges, high schools, stores, etc. I also had some luck hanging flyers on front doors.

In addition to the flyers, I also made up some simple brochures to leave out in various offices (again, with permission) and other areas with decent foot traffic. Some of my best customers have come from the local school that allowed me to place some brochures in their main office. This particular school acted as an umbrella school for the local homeschool group and I was ambushed with calls from excited parents who needed my help.

As you can see, the possibilities are practically endless, and you are only limited to your marketing imagination. Give yourself time, watch your business grow, and good luck!

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Jill G. is a certified tutor from Texas who specializes in math and computer tutoring.

Why Tutoring?

"Why Tutoring?" I have been asked this on more than one occasion by friends and family.

Some of them are curious, others are just making conversation, and still others are telling me that I should have chosen a more traditionally defined "high powered career." You see, I do not work a traditional 40 hour week job. Since I freelance, I work varying hours (anywhere from 5-45 per week), from varying locations.

Every time I am asked, my answer to all of these people is always the same - I chose tutoring as a career so I can do what I love and help others. Simple as that.

A lot of children dream of being doctors, firefighters, or veterinarians, but I cannot remember a time when I didn't want to be a tutor. I would help classmates out during lunch period, tutor my brothers with their math, and help my best friend with his book reports. Whoever needed tutoring help, I was thrilled to provide what knowledge I could in the subject.

Interestingly, I never wanted to be a teacher; I preferred the one-to-one interaction with my tutees that tutoring offered me. I am also addicted to the rewarding feeling that I get when someone understands a new concept for the first time.

After college, when I made a conscious decision to make freelance math tutoring my career, I knew I was making a decision that would allow me to do the kind of work I was passionate about, even after I hit retirement age.

It may not be a traditional 40 hour per week career path, but it is a path that I am enthusiastic about and very proud of - every day is a new chance to help someone succeed in the educational world. That, combined with working for myself, makes tutoring a dream career!

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For the last 12 years, Brian has been a freelance math tutor who specializes in helping tutees grapple with the basics of elementary math concepts. He has recently completed ITA training and can be reached at BL@itatutor.org.

Resources for Writing Tutors

As a writing tutor, I’m always looking for ways to liven up my tutoring sessions. Let’s face it, when it comes to writing, there are a lot of rules and exceptions to learn. Pretty dry stuff!
I often use colorful handouts. They are visually more exciting than hand written notes, plus my tutees can keep them for future reference. But even my handouts get stale over time. It really doesn’t matter how cool they look. Ultimately, they are just more material for my tutees to read and memorize. There is nothing engaging about a paper handout.
Enter technology. Except for word processing software on computers, I’ve never been a big fan of technology. I generally find myself spending more time trying to figure out how to use it rather than actually using it. I’d rather do things the old fashion way and save myself the frustration. Well that all changed, at least as far as my tutoring goes, a couple of months ago.
I was talking with another writing tutor about her views on handouts. I was hoping for some fresh ideas and she gave me a great one: Grammar Bytes. It is a website that covers tons of writing topics.
Examples and explanations are presented along with interactive practice questions. For some reason my tutees prefer the web over paper handouts. In fact, I now regularly use this site to motivate tutees to familiarize themselves with a topic before we meet! It is a lot more productive.
Grammar Bytes can be found at: http://www.chompchomp.com/exercises.htm.
I’m now on the lookout for more of these kinds of resources!
~ Katie M.
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Katie is a certified tutor and has been tutoring writing for over 10 years. Her work load spans generations, from elementary school students to elderly ESL tutees. Thanks, Katie, for this fantastic contribution to the ITA blog!