Published: January 25, 2021
From the beginning, it has been clear that the 2020-2021 school year would not be like any other year in recent memory. And as students prepare for the second semester, many parents and guardians are finding that the children in their care are struggling to stay focused and meet curriculum goals.
Part of the difficulty lies in the sheer uncertainty facing many schools. With lockdown measures changing in response to spiking case rates, and a vaccine still months away from general distribution, managing expectations and planning for the coming months is proving quite difficult.
For this reason it is more important than ever that students have the support they need to navigate demanding subjects and master difficult concepts, which is why many are turning to private tutors to help them keep up with their classes.
Tutoring can have a life-changing impact on student performance, boosting outcomes and building the confidence kids need to succeed academically — but only if they are matched with the right tutor. If you’re considering tutoring for primary or secondary children in your care, here are four things you should keep in mind.
Identify Your Student’s Needs
A tutoring relationship is a two-way street, and if you want to find a tutor who can deliver the educational outcomes you’re looking for, you’ll need to start by identifying the student’s needs.
A driven student who is planning on applying to American universities and wants a little extra help preparing for the SAT, and a primary schooler who needs a math tutor to help them develop their numeracy skills, will require different kinds of expertise and support. It is important to find a tutor who can give them the help they are looking for.
Similarly, different learning styles also need to be accommodated if you are to get the most out of the tutoring experience. Some children need one-on-one help, while others may thrive in a learning pod where they can study alongside their peers and have a more social learning environment.
In-home tutoring has long been a proven way to help students get the help they need in a familiar and comfortable environment, but in the context of the coronavirus pandemic, with many schools dealing with COVID-19 outbreaks, some students may not be able to meet with a tutor in person. In this case, you’ll need to find a tutor who has the skill and experience to offer effective tutoring sessions online.
Prep Academy Tutors offers all of these options, so if you want to learn more about how our team approaches SAT prep, learning pods, or online lessons, get in touch to learn more about our approach.
Create a Schedule That Works for the Student
For busy families, finding time for tutoring has long been a challenge. While the ongoing pandemic means that most extra-curricular activities have been suspended, many parents are working from home, which makes it difficult to carve out space where children can meet with tutors in a distraction-free environment.
When negotiating with a potential tutor, you shouldn’t be afraid to expect a degree of flexibility around scheduling. Tutors understand that the needs of every family and student will be different, and are willing to accommodate a variety of different schedules.
If you are already working with a tutor but feel that your scheduling needs aren’t being accommodated, don’t be afraid to explore alternatives or find a new tutor who will be able to meet with your student at the time that is most conducive to their learning, and most convenient for your family.
Look for Local Tutors
Local tutors have always been able to provide better service. Tutors who live in your city or borough will have an easier time getting to your home, and can adapt more easily to changing schedules.
But during the coronavirus pandemic it has become more important than ever to make sure that your tutor doesn’t have to travel long distances to get to your home. With different regions across Canada experiencing different restrictions, it is essential to make sure that your tutor is abiding by the same guidelines as your family.
And of course, when you hire Toronto tutors who actually live in the Toronto, they’ll have a better working knowledge of the curriculum and the context in which your child is learning.
Prep Academy Tutors works with local tutors in cities across Canada, so whether you need a physics tutor in Montreal, an Ottawa French tutor, a reading literacy specialist in Manitoba, or private math tutor in Mississauga, we can help you find a candidate who will be able to offer the right level of instruction from within your community.
Find a Tutor Who Can Offer a Personalized Approach to Learning
Specialization, scheduling, and location are all key to finding a good tutor, but perhaps the most important thing is to find someone who can offer in-home and online tutoring services that are personalized to your student’s individual needs.
Every child learns differently, and the best tutors understand that they need to adapt their educational approach to each student’s unique aptitudes. Tutors also need to be able to identify the obstacles that are getting in the way of learning, and to help students build confidence in their own problem-solving skills.
A tutor is more than just someone providing homework help or going over the curriculum with a student — they are also a peer offering personal support. This is why it is so important to find a tutor who can relate to your child’s struggles and help them overcome their challenges.
For students who don’t want to fall behind during this chaotic schoolyear, tutors can be a lifeline. But not every tutor will be equally adept at helping individual students, so make sure you find the right fit by working with specialized local tutors who can accommodate your schedule and offer a personalized approach to learning.
If you want to learn more about your options for hiring a home tutor, online tutor, or learning-pod tutor in your area, get in touch with Prep Academy Tutors today.