BECOME AN INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR: TUTOR

What are the Benefits of Becoming a Tutor?


I am an independent person and I love doing what I want to do.  Tutoring allows me the freedom to teach my subject in a focused and direct way.  I look forward to tutoring sessions because they always make me feel good about myself.  My tutees are respectful, focused, and curious.  Tutoring gives me the freedom to work one-on-one with a learner who is giving me undivided attention.  I  encourage tutees to become independent learners who have the tools to improve their skills.

I am open, honest, and supportive.  I let tutees know that I understand their class environment and the distractions that can interfere with understanding their subject.  I believe my empathy and kindness helps them to feel safe and supported.   I use humor to provide negative feedback help them to unlearn misinformation or misconceptions.  Tutees become confident when they have strategies that work, and I increase my confidence when my tutee improves.  I knew tutors who worked with three or four tutees at a time, but I think parents get their money's worth when the tutor is focused on their child alone. 

In the past, I used to think the business end of tutoring was difficult.  I passed math courses and exams, but I still found math to be an intimidating subject, especially in the field of business.  I quickly learned to keep track of my mileage and cost of supplies.  I made sure to keep accurate records.  Filling out my taxes is fun because I feel as if I'm on a scavenger hunt for money.  I like tutoring because I am doing what I like to do: helping young people.

Here are some of the skills you can learn from being a tutor: 

* You increase your ability to become organized and efficient.

* You increase your ability to become reliable and dependable.

* You learn to manage your time efficiently.

*You increase your sense of competency/adequacy in conforming to new roles.  Each tutoring experience is different and you learn something new every time.

* You increase your sense of empathy, patience, and fairness.

* You increase higher order thinking and your ability to think outside the box.

* You increase your ability to take the initiative.


How do Tutees benefit from tutoring?

* Students can advance at their own pace.

* Struggling learners can increase their skills without embarrassment.

* Tutees become more motivated and confident.

* Tutees increase their ability to manage their own learning.


What Should You Do During Tutoring Sessions?

* Give LOTS of strategies and use graphic organizers.

*Give quizzes and practice tests (believe it or not, your tutees will like it).

* Give assignments so tutees can practice between sessions.

* Encourage self-correction.

*Ask tutees to explain the process they used to get their answers.

* Provide specific feedback and praise.