When it comes time to selecting a tutor, there are many factors that you need to consider. With over 18 years of tutoring experience I have grown to realize the importance of the following qualities. What makes an effective tutor? Here are my top 5 qualities:
1- An Effective Tutor is Responsible: In order to be successful as a tutor, you need to show a great deal of responsibility. Working with a student is a very big task and one that should not be taken lightly. Families are allowing you to work with their child and trusting that you will give them the specific support they desire. Tutors should always be on time, come prepared, and provide an open line of communication with the family and the child's teacher. Being responsible is an absolute requirement if you want to be successful.
2- An Effective Tutor is Adaptable: What does being flexible have to to with tutoring? Each and every child learns in a different way. The same instruction can be delivered to students and some will get it right away, and others will not. An effective tutor is able to sit down with their students and pick up exactly where they need the support. It may mean that they have to reteach the lesson again that was presented in class that day. It may mean helping a student create a manipulative to study for their exam. Every tutoring session will be completely different as there is a not a template to follow. Whatever the need of the student may be, an effective tutor will be able to recognize the need and work together to make sure that the student receives the help they need.
3- An Effective Tutor is Energetic: Students want learning to be fun! Many of them are not thrilled when their parents tell them they will be working with a tutor. However, when a tutor comes to a session, fully engaged and excited about working with the student, their positivity starts to rub off on the student and a new path of learning is created! When a tutor is fully engaged in the subject, they are able to find ways to motivate the student. Simply reading notes, reading passages, etc can be a bit of a bore. An effective tutor will find unique ways to inspire students to what to learn! Being energetic and ready for each session will make students look forward to working with their tutors!
4- An Effective Tutor is Patient: Let's face it, sometimes the learning process can be frustrating for students. Many parents and teachers do not have the extra time it takes to sit down and be patient, and wait for results, but tutors do! An effective tutor will be patient with their students. They understand that it may take them longer to understand a topic. They may have to work on the same problem over and over again, until a connection is made and the student gets it! If a student sees their tutor being patient, it shows them that they believe in them and creates a sense of confidence for the students.
5- An Effective Tutor is Passionate: I think this applies to anything in life, but in order to truly be successful and great at what you do requires you to be passionate about it. An effective tutor LOVES what they do and they are absolutely motivated each and every day to be their best. When students recognize that sense of passion it allows them to want to learn more and engage in the tutoring session.
Where can you find tutors like the ones I have described above? I am happy to tell you that every single beam Tutor has all of these qualities and many more! I am always EXTREMELY picky as to who I bring on board as a tutor. I want to make sure that our families are simply getting the very best! If you have a student or know someone who could benefit from a great tutor, we would love to help!
Call or email me today: kerra@beamtutor.com, 704-497-1969
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