Tutoring
Do I have
to have a college degree and/or a teaching certificate to start a home based tutoring
business?
You don't have to have a college degree
or a teaching certificate to tutor; you just have to ask yourself what subjects and ages
you feel comfortable with which to work. Most people will do a fine job tutoring in
the elementary grades.
Can I
tutor someplace other than my home?
Yes. In fact, many tutors, especially college students, just don't have the space to tutor
at their "homes" (i.e. dorm room, apt.).
So, they tutor at the library, study room on campus or in the students' own homes.
When is
the best time of the year to start a tutoring business?
I assumed that I would only find students right
before the start of the school year. I was WRONG!!
Although I did sign up my first student in late August, I continued to
pick up students throughout the year, and found that I was just as busy in the summer as I
was during the school year. Some parents want to start out the school year with
extra help, and contact you early. Others wait and see, hoping their children's
grades will improve "this year". So, they end up contacting you after a grade
check, first quarter reports, etc. Some wait until January, making it kind of a new
year resolution to get their children back on track. Others begin to panic in the
spring, and contact you in hopes of ending the school year on a positive note. Many
will contact you for summer "catch-up" help. So, ANYTIME is a good time to start a home tutoring business!
What can
I expect to see when tutoring in the elementary grades?
Most of the elementary students I
see are in grades 3 through 6, and need help with basic skills in reading and math, and
some homework help. This may include encouraging reading through activities, or
helping a student learn math facts that they should already know, but in which they don't
have instant recall. It sounds so basic, but if a child doesn't learn, for example,
his/her times tables, s/he will struggle with math problems that build on those skills.
What
about tutoring junior high and high school students?
When you get to the upper-level
classes, you need to have a good background in whatever specific subjects you decide to
tutor, but not necessarily a college degree. For example, I don't feel comfortable
with math at the high school level, so I simply stay away from it. My husband, on
the other hand, likes math and is good at it, so he tutors math students, even though he
doesn't have a teaching degree and has never taught school.
Why don't the parents just tutor
their own children with skills?
Many kids are turned off by
their own parents when it comes to help and suggestions. Frustrations run high on
both ends, and the student shuts down. Working with another person outside the home is
usually more productive, especially when the child and parents are at their wits' ends.
What if I
still feel anxious because I don't have a degree and have never before tutored anyone?
For first few months, I was
nervous about doing a good job because I had never before tutored. I just kept in
mind that many of the big learning center franchises charge $35 per hour or more per
child, and put three students to one teacher. With me, the parents get a great deal;
I only charge about half the price of the learning centers, and I work strictly one-to-one
with students.
If you still feel hesitant about your
lack of experience, I would suggest that you charge a little less than the going rate at
first.. Let the parents know that you are giving a discount because you are new at
tutoring, but that you will be committed to helping their student if they will give
you the opportunity. Then, as you gain experience and your confidence builds, you
could raise your fees.
Would
tutoring be a good job for my high school or college student?
Yes! High school and college
students make good tutors for younger students; the younger kids look up to the older
kids, and are thrilled to get help from them!
If a high school student is doing the tutoring, I would suggest charging a little less (as described in the previous
question) since they are students themselves. The hourly rate would still be much
more than they could earn flipping burgers! Also, they will need help from an adult
to get started and point them in the right direction.
What
should I do with my own children while I am tutoring?
When my own children were younger, I had concerns
about what I could do to keep them entertained while I was tutoring, so I'll
tell you what worked for me. I found a girl in my neighborhood (someone
close that can walk over to your house is ideal) that could come in the
afternoons to stay with my little ones. She was only 12 when I started
having her come, but since I was there in the house with me close-by,
I didn't worry about her being young. I paid her $4 per hour,
and I charged $20 per hour for tutoring, so I figured I was still
making $16 per hour, even with the sitter, and it beat the rates of part
time day care at a private home or center. This girl was
homeschooled, which made it even easier for her to help me--she could be
here a little before the students showed up since she wasn't just getting
home from school. I was able to tutor starting at 3:30 p.m. after Jr.. high
let out, then elementary students could get here by 4:30, so I didn't have
to wait until my husband got home to schedule students and could be
finished earlier in the evening. I would suggest contacting a
homeschooling group in your area---there may be some girls that would like
to help you for a little extra money, and/or check to see if there are any
potential sitters in your neighborhood that could come to your home right
after school.
Start
a tutoring business today!
TESTIMONIAL
Kim,
Thank you for responding to my question....I did receive the package yesterday. I
appreciate your promptness. Your book has a TON of great ideas that I never would
have thought of!! I'm so glad that I found your site on the Internet.
Sincere Thanks,
C. L. Ohio
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