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Choosing A Tutor
The most common reasons why students fall behind in class and need tutors are due to complex subject matter, ineffective teaching methods, emotional distractions, or learning disabilities. Others need a tutor to help prepare for a big exam or move ahead of the class. Regardless of the reason why you seek a tutor, it is important that you choose a tutor that understands your needs, and can create an achievement plan for success. Here are some suggestions that should help you choose the right tutor for you:
- Interview the tutor
- Contact references
- Ask for a copy of their certifications, transcript, etc.
- Perform an official background check, or ask the tutor to produce results of a recently performed background check
- Ask for state-issued identification (Driver’s License, Passport, Birth Certificate, Military ID, college ID)
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Interview the Tutor
Interviews are a great way for students to assess whether or not the tutor’s qualifications, teaching style, and personality coincide with their own personality and needs. The goal in an interview is not to ask questions that attack or stump your potential tutor, but rather to ask questions that promote free-flowing conversation. This will give you a glimpse of the candidate’s subject knowledge and level of instruction. It will also allow you to convey your expectations and state the logistics of the position. Although a phone interview is probably the most convenient option, nothing can substitute for an in-person interview. And since conducting a well-organized interview is important, we have composed a list of questions that you should consider asking your candidate:
Questions Relating to Qualifications/Experiences:
- What kind of degrees or certifications do you hold?
- Have you had any formal training specifically for teaching or tutoring?
- How many years have you tutored?
- Can I see a copy of your transcript?
- What grade level and subjects have you tutored?
- Can you describe your teaching style? Can you explain examples verbally as well as physically on paper?
- How do you cope with children that have motivation or attention issues?
- What material do you bring with you to the session?
- How will you assess the initial level of knowledge?
- How will you measure and track progress? Can you design an achievement schedule?
- How many other students are you tutoring?
- Can you provide me with references?
- Tell me about your worst tutoring experience? How did you deal with it?
Questions Relating to Personality:
- How would you describe your personality?
- What do you like and dislike most about tutoring?
- What are some of your hobbies and interests?
- Are there any areas of tutoring that you plan to improve?
- How often have you had to reschedule/cancel an appointment?
- What are some of your future goals?
- Do you think that anyone can learn anything?
Questions Relating to Expectations and Logistics:
- What is your hourly rate? How did you arrive at this amount?
- What days and time are you available?
- Do you drive? What source of transportation will you use to make it to our appointments?
- How do you feel about contacting my child’s teacher? How frequently?
- Where can you tutor?
- If we do not see results, what are you willing to do for us? Can the next session be free or reduced in price?
Contact References
References should be contacted to verify the credentials of your potential tutor. Be sure to investigate the type of relationship mentioned and current profession of each reference listed. Previous employers, business professionals, and respected community leaders are all examples of acceptable references. Be wary of references that are relatives or friends of the tutor. Here are some sample questions that you should ask each reference:
- Tell me about yourself. What is your current profession, title, etc?
- How long have you known him/her, and under what circumstances did you meet?
- How dependable or trustworthy is she/he? Do you have any examples to support this?
- What do you believe is his/her best characteristics? What do you believe is his/her weakest characteristics?
- Would you let him/her tutor you or someone you know?
Review Certifications or Transcripts
After completing any coursework or training sessions, some sort of certificate or documentation is given to serve as proof that the course was in fact completed. Before hiring a potential tutor, students should ask to see proof of completion. Typically, your tutor should be able to show high achievement in your subject area. Certified teachers have long been preferred, but current students can be just as effective.
Perform A Background Check
A background check is an official search that is performed to investigate the identity and history of an individual. Depending on the type of search that is completed, the results can show the following information about a person: current and previous addresses, date of birth, criminal history, driving record, education history, credit history, civil judgments, property ownership, and much more. Typically, a name and social security number are needed to perform the most thorough search possible, but lesser information such as an address also produces extensive results. It is important to first obtain permission from your tutor before performing any background checks. Parents should ask the tutor to volunteer for a background check, or ask the tutor to provide a copy of a recently performed background check. There are numerous sites and agencies that produce the necessary results within a few minutes or days depending on the level of search that is requested. The costs for these searches vary by website, and whether you want to check the records in multiple states. While some companies charge per each individual search, others allow unlimited searches for a monthly fee. You can find these companies by typing in the phrase “background check” in any internet search engine.
Proof of Identification
Requesting state-issued identification (driver's license, passport, birth certificate, military id or college id) is the quickest way to verify an identity. It provides an additional level of security in that a federal or state agency has already collected information, verified the individual, and has stored the information for their official records.
These suggestion are just a few of many ways you can secure a quality tutor that meets your needs. Feel free to implement some or all of these as you deem it necessary. After all, you are the best judge of what you need.
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