The Three Biggest Pitfalls in Hiring a Math Tutor and How to Handle Them

1. The Three Biggest Pitfalls in Hiring a Math Tutor and How to Handle Them Just like with any service you purchase, there are risks associated with hiring a math tutor. However, these can be mitigated if you take the right steps and do not leave anything up to chance. For example, before you go to a restaurant you make sure to check up on the reviews and read about what other patrons experienced. You should take this exact same approach when it comes to getting a math tutor. If they do not have any reviews or they have negative ones, heed the warnings and look elsewhere. Everything is digital these days, so do not believe a tutor who says they do not have some sort of online profile that you can find. Take this as a red flag and, you guessed it, look elsewhere. Here are the three biggest pitfalls involved in hiring a math tutor and how you can handle them. Avoid Working With A Novice Tutor

2. You will be able to tell when you are working with someone who has not been in the tutoring industry for very long. They will typically be a bit timid and unsure of their process because they are still learning with you. For certain subjects, like English or other languages, this might not be a bad thing. But math is in a league of its own, especially when you are in advanced level courses like those offered in high school and college. You need to be working with a tutor who is sure of themselves and knows that they can help you with any problem that you might be having. Only a tutor who has years of experience under their belt will have this type of confidence and will be able to back it up. This is precisely why you need to do your research and figure out how long the prospective tutor has been in the industry. Work With A Tutor Who Is Knowledgeable The reason why most tutors who have experience in the tutoring industry have so much confidence is not that they have been doing this for years. It is because they have been tutoring for a while, and they have been doing it well. The reason why they are able to do their job at such a high level is that they understand the subject inside and out. This is because they have been studying this subject for years and have knowledge that is rooted in hard work. There are several horror stories about students who work with a tutor who has a false sense of confidence. The tutor makes all sorts of promises only to not deliver on a single one. This is because the tutor typically knows how to work with the mathematical subject, but they are unaware of how to actually teach it. Knowing how to work with math and teaching it are two separate types of knowledge. It is when this information converges that you find yourself matched with a fully capable tutor. When you dive into your research make sure you are getting in contact with a tutor who can do both. Read up on their profile and reach out to their past clients just to be sure. Understand Your Tutoring Needs Ultimately, when it comes down to finding a reliable tutor you must know exactly what you need. If you are unable to communicate your requirements then you are going to be left unsatisfied. Communication is the single most important factor in any organization, especially when it comes to one-on-one in- person tutoring. You want to establish an open line of communication with your instructor from the get- go. This will help make sure that you are getting what you need out of your sessions and that you are

3. able to be open when you start working. This is incredibly important, and honestly probably the most important pitfall that students face. They are not clear with the tutor about what they are looking for and then they are confused when the sessions do not go as planned. This can be avoided by simply taking the time to think about what you need and then letting your future tutor know this so they can let you know if they can deliver. When this happens no one is left hanging out to dry because of a simple miscommunication. Summary When you are on the hunt for a tutor, you need to be honest with yourself. If you are not able to be realistic and straightforward with yourself, then you are never going to be able to do this with your tutor. Then you will put them in an uncomfortable and unfair position where they cannot deliver. Having said that, once you know what you want then it is up to you to start searching for tutors who can get this done with you. Do your homework and make sure they have the background that fits your requirements. Tutoring is a collaborative effort and it is up to you to make sure that you get matched with the perfect instructor for you. Only you know what you want and need. Source : http://ilinova.org/The-Three-Biggest.php