Great News for Professional Tutors!

The US Department of Labor now recognizes Tutoring as its own profession!  In other words, welcome to the elite group of Standard Occupational Classification Code 25-3099.52 - the new, official occupational code for tutors!

This is big news for tutors, because for years tutoring was in a limbo state when it came to occupational codes.  Teaching? Coaching? Teacher Assistants? "Well...yes and no," that was usually the answer.

There was never really a place that "Tutoring" fit, but that is all changing thanks to dedicated tutors like all of you who have a true passion for the tutoring profession. 

What titles are included in the new, Tutoring Occupational Code 25-3099.52?
College Tutor
Computing Tutor
Corporate Tutor
Elementary Education Tutor
English Tutor
History Tutor
In-classroom Tutor
In-home Tutor
Learning Center Instructor
Math Tutor
Nursing Center Tutor
Online Tutor
Peer Tutor
Private Tutor
Professional Tutor
Reading Tutor
Second Language Tutor
Test Preparation Tutor
Tutoring Assistant
Tutoring Clinician

Is ITA involved in this Occupational Code development?
Yes!  We are happy to say that ITA has been selected as an industry expert for tutoring, and we are assisting the Department of Labor and O*NET with this exciting project!

Who is O*NET?
O*NET (Occupational Information Network) is an automated database that replaces the old Dictionary of Occupational Titles (DOT) as the nation's primary source of occupational information.  O*NET's database is used by millions of employers, workers, educators, and students as they make decisions about education, training, career choices, and work. 

So what's happening now?
The US Department of Labor is in the process of interviewing professional tutoring organizations and industry experts in order to compile the information needed to permanently make "Tutoring" its own professional classification. 

We are thrilled that ITA has been chosen to represent the tutoring profession as an industry expert during this process, and we are doing our best to represent the needs, wants, and challenges faced by professional tutors.  We also appreciate any input you could give us about your career as a tutor. 

If you are interested in taking part in a confidential survey for the Department of Labor relating to the occupational code for tutors, or just have questions about this new occupational code, please let us know: contact@itatutor.org

Congratulations to all of us who are involved in tutoring at any level - it's been a long and exciting road to get to our destination - Code 25-3099.52!

Field Notes: Reward System Success!

I just wanted to check in here and let all of my fellow tutors know about something that I have been using with a lot of success over the past few months.  Rewards!

See, I tutor little kids, mostly in reading and music, and I had a few tutees who were just not very excited about learning.  When I say not excited, what I really mean is, dragging their feet, "why-do-I-have-to-do-this?!, bummed out kids. 

I tried making the tutoring more entertaining by adding fun worksheets, keeping the mood light, etc.  But, hey, there's only so much you can do, right?  Then I read a post here about rewards and prizes.  I was immediately enthusiastic about the whole idea, and rushed out to my local office store to pick out some little prizes.

I also printed out the little reward sheets to keep track of tutoring sessions, and homework, worksheets, etc. completed by my students.

Well, you wouldn't believe it, but the turn around from even my most difficult little tutees was incredible.  Suddenly, they were all excited about learning, and every single one of my young tutees asks me to see the reward sheet so that they can see how close they are to "getting a prize.'

For the cost of some novelty erasers, pens, pencils, and stickers, I have a group of very excited, young tutees who show up to every session ready (and enthusiastic) to learn!

Stacy, M. from SC

Ask Micki: Shy guy who wants to be a good tutor

© sxc.hu/nazreth

Question: Hi, Micki. I need some help getting started with my new tutoring career.  The thing is, I am a little bit shy.

Don't get me wrong, I'll go out with friends, and don't get really nervous being out in public or anything.  In fact, if I told my friends that I was shy, they'd never believe me. 

It's just that I have some trouble meeting new people, and I'm afraid that it will negatively affect my chances of being a good tutor.

Any advice for an enthusiastic person who wants to tutor, but isn't outgoing?

Thanks,
ShyGuy in CA

Answer: Hi, ShyGuy, thanks for your question! 

Here's the deal, and I say this to every newly budding tutor who is worried that he or she is too shy for this business - not being outgoing is okay!  In fact, it is great - I am fairly shy myself, and it has never held me back at all.  I have also had some great tutors who were pretty shy, and they were some of the best tutors I ever had.

Also, because I was a pretty shy student, having a shy tutor actually put me at ease!

Imagine a world where everyone was the exact same -outgoing- it would get exhausting and boring!  If being a bit shy is part of your personality, embrace it, and learn to work with it.  It doesn't sound like it is debilitating shyness, so it is, without a doubt, possible for you to get out there and tutor successfully.

That said, if you are feeling uncomfortable contacting and meeting tutees and clients for the first time, there are several things you can do to help yourself and your tutoring career. 

First of all, realize that you are not alone.  A lot of people can get a little nervous before meeting new people.  It's completely normal.  Remember that the friends you hang out with now were once strangers.  Imagine if you had never taken that chance to meet those new people, you wouldn't have the friends you do now!  Be bold.  Gear yourself up to take a chance.  Get excited about meeting someone new.

I can almost guarantee that once you meet your tutee for the first time, any nervousness you had about meeting will quickly disappear, and you will feel comfortable tutoring.  Trust me, I was the same way. 

Second, be prepared when meeting your tutee.  My most successful tutoring sessions, and the ones in which I feel the most comfortable, are the ones that I have prepared well for in advance.  When I go into a session with worksheets, ideas, plans, and knowledge of the subject, I feel confident, and my shyness takes a backseat to my enthusiasm. 

Third, try some stress reduction before you meet your tutee.  Do some deep breathing, strike a yoga pose or two, sketch, take a short stroll...whatever it is you need to do to de-stress, do it, and notice how much less nervous you are about your tutoring meeting.

Fourth, and most importantly, be yourself.  Just in case you missed that, I'll say it again louder :-)  

Be Yourself

It may sound corny, but it is true.  If you are being yourself, you will feel more at ease, you won't come across as fake, you won't be stressed out trying to keep up an impressive appearance, and you will make your tutee more comfortable.  Plus, by being yourself you have the opportunity to connect with your tutee over similar backgrounds, shared hobbies, or similar interests. 

Good luck, ShyGuy!

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Photo credit: © sxc.hu/nazreth