If your child struggles with math concepts, it may be helpful to consider hiring a tutor who understands what’s going through their mind as they struggle with learning this important concept. Here, we discuss ways to hire tutors who understand math.
Introduction
The best way to improve student achievement in the classroom is to get students actively involved in improving their understanding of math. When teachers provide feedback regarding their progress, students tend to respond well to these constructive comments because they have something specific to focus on to address the issue and ultimately achieve mastery. This allows them to develop self-efficacy in their ability to learn mathematics independently, making future interactions with students and parents less stressful for both parties. However, this does require some planning ahead of time in order to avoid having a situation arise where tutoring is needed before class starts again.
What Is Math?
Mathematics is an essential skill that every student must learn. However, some children are able to grasp this skill easily, whereas others face great difficulty understanding basic mathematical principles.
If you are having trouble teaching mathematics at home because your son or daughter isn’t grasping certain topics, then perhaps he/she would benefit from seeing a math tutor. A good teacher will help them develop strategies to solve problems, which helps improve problem solving skills and overall academic success.
The Importance of Tutor Training
There are lots of places to turn when you need to tutor kids, including websites and other education organizations. Most teachers teach courses online during summer months.
However, there is another option that has become increasingly common – training private tutoring services specifically focused on helping struggling elementary school kids succeed in math class. Many parents have turned to these services after reading articles highlighting the benefits of being taught one-on-one instead of in large classes, and now more schools are recognizing this trend as well. These companies offer specific curriculum designed for early grade K – 4th grade, covering everything from specific lesson plans and practice tests throughout the year to personalized study guides and even math books tailored to each child’s age level.
In general, I advise parents to check three things whenever they think of hiring a tutor. First, does the company hold itself accountable for student performance based on parent reports from previous clients? Second, does the program cover a wide range of subjects and allow parents to pick between multiple providers? Finally, are any discounts offered for signing up for longer term contracts? All too often, families receive high prices for low quality tutoring sessions. Be sure to review pricing carefully and seek advice from experienced tutors and educational consultants before hiring anyone!
Finding A Good Tutor
There are many different ways to locate tutoring services and finding one that works perfectly well may seem impossible at times. With a bit of research, however, you might end up locating exactly what matches your educational goals.
Tutoring agencies provide a wide range of options to suit each client. Some offer only group classes; others offer individualized sessions with specific subjects covered during every meeting. Others cater exclusively towards special education clients; still others focus primarily on high school level studies.
The key factor to remember here is consistency. While there isn’t any guarantee that you’ll succeed without having personal tutors, consistency helps immensely. Once you have a regular schedule established, it makes scheduling appointments far less stressful. Tutoring companies often allow parents to request certain days or hours throughout the week to fit into their children’s schedules.
Another option would be to try an online site similar to Craigslist. Postings tend to come on a daily basis on these sites and you are guaranteed to have plenty of choices available. Just note that you won’t always receive responses immediately – sometimes it can take weeks (or months!) for a response depending on the size of your posting. But even after you post an ad, keep checking back regularly as postings tend to move pretty fast! Another benefit of searching via these websites is that you will almost never find a tutoring agency whose primary mission involves helping you improve grades. Instead, many of these providers specialize in teaching English language skills or preparing kids for standardized exams, among other areas. These are perfect opportunities to supplement your own lessons with additional instruction or review.
If none of these methods seems effective for you, consider hiring teachers directly. Many of them also teach in schools and have access to curriculum materials that are designed specifically for elementary or middle school studies. If you live near a university, you should check whether professors teach courses geared towards younger students or if they hold office hours.
Tips For Getting The Most Value From a Math Tutor
Finding the ideal maths tutor can help boost student’s grade levels. However you go about selecting a tutor, though, there is no reason you shouldn’t enjoy your search for a tutor who fits into your schedule. Below are tips to guide you in choosing a maths tutor:
1) Check references. Ask current students for names and contact phone numbers of former tutors. Call everyone recommended until you reach three successful referrals. Be sure to ask if they taught in a classroom setting.
2) Look for credentials. All math tutors worth their salt should have official qualifications including CGP Level 4 Diploma, CMA certificate and relevant college credits. They must also possess excellent communication skills as they will form the initial bond between teacher and learner. The same should apply to tutors offering online lessons.
3) Consider the environment. Do you prefer being taught alone or surrounded by friends or families? Also think about the kind of lesson atmosphere you prefer. Is it quiet or noisy? Does the location appeal to you? Think about the amount of homework associated with your study plan, too. Are tutors willing to accept extra responsibilities beyond giving lesson plans and answering questions? Will they stick around after class has ended to give you feedback? Should you opt for face-to-face tuition over Skype? Find answers to these kinds of questions prior to taking the plunge so you always feel comfortable with the choice you’ve made.
4) Always be honest with your expectations. Don’t tell prospective tutors ‘forget everything I learned in school’ unless you truly mean it. Explain clearly the areas in mathematics which you are struggling with and show interest in improving upon existing knowledge. Let them assess your strengths and weaknesses and let them make suggestions on how they can further enhance your understanding. Remember, there is no harm in asking for clarification in relation to terminology used within equations or formulas. This will show respect toward new colleagues.
Tips to Help Math Students Get The Most From Their Tutor
Hiring a qualified expert who knows exactly what you need done isn’t simple – so be careful! Use the above tips to select a top-rated maths tutor. If anything, having a conversation with a number of different experts allows you to compare prices, services provided and personalities. Then pick one according to the recommendations they gave you. Once you’ve chosen your specialist, keep following him/her and doing well academically so he/she stays motivated.