TUTORS BOOST MORE THAN GRADES

BY MARIA MARSEGLIA KUZMIAK

With more than two months of the school year behind them and the holidays around the corner, many students may find themselves hitting a “slump” in school. It may be time to consider hiring a tutor, and the reasons for doing so may not be what you think. Traditionally, tutors are hired to improve a struggling student’s academic performance. But there are more than academic reasons that hiring a tutor may be beneficial. Even parents who have wonderful relationships with their kids have a hard time working with them on school-related tasks. A tutor-student relationship is not hindered by unavoidable parent-child dynamics. A good tutor is an ally and coach, and this can do wonders for a child’s self esteem as well as his or her excitement about learning. Often, even students who perform at or above grade level are not sure of their abilities. With friendly, one-to-one attention each week, a child may feel less inhibited. He or she may ask questions or delve more deeply into things that cannot be addressed in a classroom, where the needs of dozens of other students compete for the teacher’s attention. Even an academically gifted child, who breezes through schoolwork with ease, can benefit from a tutor who understands this unique population. Gifted children need to stretch their imagination and creativity beyond what is required in the mainstream classroom. They often do not have outlets for expressing their gifts. A tutor can give a bright, inquisitive child the challenge and depth he or she is reluctant to seek in school for fear of being stigmatized, as many bright children are. Parents often do not think of hiring a tutor for a gifted child, but the right tutor can develop a series of lessons or a workshop tailored to the individual interests of a child or small group of children who need an extra challenge.

So, what if you have considered hiring a tutor for your child? How do you find the right person at a reasonable cost?  If you want a generalized program that is well tested but not necessarily individualized, you may want to go to one of the major learning center franchises. Be aware that they often charge more than independent private tutors and usually work with more than one student at a time. If you are uncomfortable hiring a private tutor directly or cannot find one, you can look for an agency that will send you a tutor that has already been screened. You will may pay $15-$30 per hour extra to do this. Probably the best way to ensure you are getting your money’s worth and getting an individualized program is to hire the tutor directly whenever possible. You will not only be able to screen the person yourself, but you will avoid the extra cost of hiring a tutor through an agency. Find a certified teacher, and ask about his or her experience with children like yours. Most private tutors find their clients through word of mouth, so ask around. If your child has a sibling close in age or friends with similar needs and interests, consider having them tutored together. Many tutors will work with two or three students at once.

Once you have hired a tutor, be clear about your goals. Tutors are hired for a variety of reasons, and the best way to get your money’s worth is to specify achievable goals and decide together how the goals will be reached in the sessions. If you tell the tutor “she needs help in math” or “he is not a confident reader,” it will be difficult for the tutor to know where to begin. Although it is perfectly legitimate to hire a tutor to help boost a child’s overall confidence in his or her academic ability, you should state goals beyond that in measurable terms. For example, decide that you want your son’s math grade raised from a C to a B for the next marking period. Or, state that you want your daughter to be reading at her grade level by the end of the school year. If possible, provide access to the child’s teacher, and always have books and materials used in school present during sessions for the tutor to review. That way, the tutor will know exactly what your child is doing in school, even when sessions are not directly related to schoolwork.

In short, the individual attention of a good tutor can make your child feel special and more interested in learning. It can also be a lot of fun!

Maria Kuzmiak M.A., is a certified elementary and special education teacher and freelance writer. A former public school teacher, Mrs. Kuzmiak tutors students in elementary subjects and all levels of English and writing. She also teaches enrichment classes for gifted students. She can be contacted in Maywood, NJ by phone at 201-291-0359 or via email at mmarseglia@msn.com.