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What to Look for in a Math Tutor

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What to Look for in a Math Tutor

Are you looking for a great math tutor but don’t know what to look for in a tutor?  When you interview a tutor, you want to make sure they are up to the task.  A good idea is to ask them questions about their tutoring experience, methods of tutoring, how they gauge their students’ progress, and more. When you pick a good dentist, you want a good one – not one who would numb the wrong tooth.  Deciding which math tutor to hire is just as important.  Here are 4 considerations to make when hiring a math tutor:

  1. Dedication.

    2. A good tutor cares deeply about their students and roots for them as they do better and better.  A great tutor will never give up on a student and support them during their most difficult moments.  If your child takes a step back from getting A’s.  The tutor should encourage the student, letting them know that taking a small step back after taking large steps forward is perfectly normal, and encourage the student to continue their efforts so that they can get back on track to achieving their academic goals.

  2. Experience.

    3.  Math covers a lot of ground.  High school math accelerates in difficulty from Algebra I to Honors Precalculus to advanced calculus and in college – even farther. A good tutor might have to look at a few formulas here and there, but they should have command over the subject.  That’s not to say that a precalculus tutor should be able to solve every problem in the book without any need for reflection.  But if you or your child find that the tutor is constantly looking up and reading material, wasting valuable time during which they should be engaged in explanations and guiding the student, you should consider looking for a more prepared tutor.

  3. The Socratic method.

    4. Great math tutors don’t lecture endlessly.  If you want a lecture, listen to your schoolteacher.  If you want to think critically and reason through word problems on your own, then you should look for a math tutor who guides you through the math problems, rather than spoon-feed you.

  4. Building a rapport with the student.

    5. A good tutor makes a student feel comfortable.  When a tutor is so brilliant that they don’t understand a student’s mind block, the student might find it hard to bond with the tutor.  Don’t look for a Ph.D. in nuclear engineering to tutor your 8th grader.  A great tutor makes the student feel at ease, not inadequate. Instead, look for a personable and supportive tutor who has challenged themselves in their studies, and is equipped to challenge your child in math.

  5. Going beyond math.

    6. An ideal math tutor has taken courses in science, economics, finance, engineering, or in other fields with applications in math, so that they can help a student understand why math is important in their daily lives.  A pure mathematician might not themselves understand applications, and they might not interest a student.  Look for a tutor who adds application problems and makes math interesting and even exciting.  Students who begin to enjoy math will do better because they will be more motivated.

Dan Eiblum is the president of TutorPro (www.thetutorpro.org), an in-home tutoring agency serving Greater Washington D.C.

How do you choose a tutoring company for your child?

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Tutor and student
It’s the start of the school year and your child is already struggling in math or in other subjects. You want them to succeed in school because you’re acutely aware of the fact that their future depends on it to some extent or another. You decide to hire a tutor but don’t know who to turn to for a referral. Perhaps you decide to search for a great tutoring company online. So, what is the best way to find and choose a great tutor?

Why use a tutoring agency?

You have visited several or more tutoring sites. They all say the same stuff – tailored lessons to fit individual needs, experienced tutors, Ivy League educated tutors, etc. So how do you pick the best one? A tutor affects many facets of a student’s life, including academic success, self-esteem, motivation, and interest. Tutoring is a great responsibility. Therefore, you should make sure that your new tutor has been thoroughly screened. This means that the tutoring agency has the responsibility to test the tutor – not only for their knowledge, but also for their tutoring skill. Tutoring agencies that ask for a mock tutoring lesson and have high expectations from the tutor are better able to weed out the inexperienced tutors, who can represent themselves as a great tutor when they are in fact just starting out. Make sure the company interviews the tutor in person or virtually. Some companies allow any tutor to register on their website and fill out their background information that may or may not be accurate. A tutoring agency that goes the extra mile and checks the tutor’s college transcripts, requires great references from parents or students, and does a background check on top of testing their tutors for their knowledge and skill is the only way of making sure that the tutor has been thoroughly screened.

What to expect during a consultation with a representative

When you speak to an agency’s representative, it is easier to make sure that you are in good hands if they are an experienced educator themselves, and not merely a salesman. You can tell the difference by hearing what they ask and emphasize. If they immediately talk to you about their prices and packages, that may indicate that they are motivated mostly by profit. On the other hand, if the representative shows interest in your child by asking you questions about their specific needs and educational history, you are probably talking to someone who cares about hiring the right tutors and providing the best match.

Consider Prices

The phrase “you get what you pay for” is very relevant when deciding which tutoring agency to choose from. If a company’s rates are low, that can mean only one thing – they pay their tutors low compensation. Would a great tutor be willing to work for less when they can work for higher pay for an ethical company that concerns itself with their tutors’ welfare? If you find that the tuition at a tutoring agency is higher than the tuition at other companies, the quality of tutors is more likely to be higher because the tutors are being paid more. Just as in the case of trying to find a medical professional, when it comes to your child’s education, never shop around for a cheap tutor. A cheap tutor will only waste your money because they probably will not help your child much. Choose quality over price, and hire the best, most experienced tutor you can find.

Making your final decision

When you have completed your consultation with the company’s representative, you should feel that you and your child are in good hands. If you don’t feel certain that you are using a great company that will help your child with their academic goals, call another company and compare services. Make sure your final decision feels comfortable, as that comfort will alleviate your anxiety, which is one of the additional benefits you get from hiring a professional tutor.

When do you start?

The best time to start is right away. Don’t delay the first tutoring lesson until after your child performs poorly on their next quiz or test.

Dan Eiblum, MSEd., has served as the president of TutorPro, serving Greater Washington, D.C. for 24 years.  TutorPro’s website address is www.thetutorpro.org 

Scouting Talented Math Tutors

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Talented Math Tutors

If you’re like any other parent, you surely want the best for your child. Obviously, you want them to excel and be proud of their achievements, which is likely why you’re considering hiring an in-home math tutor. Math tutors bridge the gap teachers and classrooms can’t, boosting your child’s confidence by focusing on their unique problem areas.

But – unfortunately, not all math tutors near you are equal. Picking out the cream of the crop can be challenging, but it’s not impossible. Let’s take a look at the traits of talented math tutors in Maryland!

1. Sound knowledge.
First and foremost, math tutors in Maryland should be great at math (obviously). They’ll need to have undergone thorough training at a university or recognized college, having left with the skills they need to educate students effectively. They’ll need a broad understanding of statistics, algebra, geometry, calculus, and arithmetic, able to be as the “go-to” math genius for your child with all the answers!

2. Motivational.
The best in-home math tutors in Bethesda know how to keep kids inspired by giving math problem examples relevant to their ambitions. The tutor should ask more about your child’s dream career, putting their need for math knowledge into real-world context.

3. Lifelong learners
The best math tutors in Maryland are humble, and always strive for more. They can be found regularly researching and reading new materials to improve their knowledge for the benefit of their students.

The best in-home math tutors are caring, compassionate, and unafraid to go the extra mile for your child. Keep this in mind when choosing a tutor, and when you’re ready to give your child the best out-of-classroom education money can buy, give MathSmart Tutoring a call!

Academic Competition Coping Mechanisms

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Academic Competition
Academic competition is real – as is the struggle for kids like yours. Most kids today are highly competitive, striving for academic achievements beyond those of their peers. It’s important to note that there are positive and negative effects of academic achievement competition.

Of course, we all want our kids to prosper – which involves working hard. There’s nothing wrong with some healthy competition, whereby your kid strives to pursue excellence and obtain college acceptance.

However, as with anything in life, there is a line – which can be dangerous when crossed. Academic competition can lead to severe anxiety and high stress levels, particularly in younger pupils who lack the ability to handle pressure. Here are some tips on how you can encourage your child to deal with academic competition better, effective immediately, which local tutoring services can assist with.

1. Motivation
Academic competition is healthy when it challenges students to work harder and get excited about the outcome of their input. Encourage them to work hard and excel, but make it clear that overdoing it isn’t healthy either. Keep them motivated to be the best they can be for themselves, not anybody else. This way, if someone else gets a higher grade, your child will know they did their best – and that’s all that matters.

2. Positive Attitude
Not everybody can be the best – you can only be the best for yourself. That’s why it’s so important for every child to possess the ability to effectively handle loss. In academic competitions, only one can take home the trophy. In healthy competitions, both “winners” and “losers” are treated with grace and respect. Those who don’t win should never feel their self-esteem is compromised. Let small disappointments inspire your child to do better, which local tutoring services can help with!

In summary, there’s nothing wrong with a little healthy competition, as long as it doesn’t personally affect your child during their off-time. Let them indulge in competition and strive to excel, but remember – there will always be someone “better” than you, even if you’re the smartest person in the room. Aspire to be great, but only be the best for yourself – nobody else! To learn more about MathSmart Tutoring’s local tutoring services, contact us today!

Traits of Good Physics Tutors

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physics

So – you’ve picked a physics tutor. You’re pretty sure you’ve made the right decision, but this is your child’s future we’re talking about, so you probably have some doubts. Is this physics private tutor as wonderful as they proclaim to be? Can you really trust them to raise your child’s grades beyond four classroom walls? If you’re wondering how to tell the difference between good physics private tutors and ineffective ones, while they’re in the presence of your child, read on!

1. Is he/she a “clock-watcher”?
In other words, do they start and stop precisely to-the-minute, or are they willing to go a few minutes over if necessary for your child’s progress? Obviously, there’s no commitment to exceed agreed-upon times – but the best physics private tutors get so involved in the process that they often lose track of time altogether. These are the tutors you should be working with!

2. Are they qualified?
Qualifications matter. When searching for the best tutor for your child, don’t be afraid to ask for their qualifications. This is particularly important when working with children with special learning needs.

3. How much experience do they have?
When trying to weed out ineffective physics tutors from the cream of the crop, it’s important to take experience into account. How many years have they been working with kids for? Have they been successful in their 1:1 approach so far? Don’t be afraid to ask! You’re paying money, and you have a right to ask as many questions as needed to bring peace of mind.

You need to know that your tutor is an expert in physics, with experience working with kids of all ages. Most importantly, they should show passion in what they do, with great enthusiasm, contagious personality, and a natural knack for guiding students in the right direction.

Call MathSmart Tutoring today to connect with Bethesda’s most passionate private tutors, ready to help your child find success beyond four classroom borders!