| The Carroll Journal |
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Tutoring...A Process Not A Cure
By Jonathan D. Carroll, M.A.
Carroll Educational Group, Inc.
Tutoring is a great tool to helping learners be successful. It is not only for the
struggling student, but students that are also experiencing academic success. One
thing that I always remind clients about is that…tutoring is a process not a cure.
There are four things one should look for in a tutor. The first is that tutoring should
not be all about grades. It should be teaching a child new skills or showing the child
better and more effective ways of doing homework. Think about it…if an adult (let
me rephrase that by saying a qualified adult) would complete a child’s homework,
would the child get a better grade? But, by showing a child different ways of
approaching work or assisting in areas of educational deficit is the key to helping a
child be successful further down the road.
The second area is how the tutor approaches instruction. For example, if a tutor is
hired to work with a child, how does the tutor foresee future sessions? Are short
and long-term goals set? What are benchmarks for success? What materials will
be used? What will be addressed? These are some important questions. When I
work with a client, I always set goals both with the family and client. Everyone needs
to be involved with the process.
Third, it is important and respectable to ask a tutor about credentials. Figure out
information about your child and see how much the tutor knows. Interview the tutor.
Ask questions like…
success. Think about it…would a tutor have you call an unsatisfied client?
The last area of importance is seeing if the child is comfortable with the tutor. If you
are going to make a time (and financial) commitment to a tutor, it is vital that there
is a connection between the client and tutor. A good tutor will also tell you that he or
she cannot help the child if there is not a connection. Encourage your child to ask
the tutor questions. In the end, it is the child that will benefit from the tutoring.
For more information, please feel free to contact me.
By Jonathan D. Carroll, M.A.
Carroll Educational Group, Inc.
Tutoring is a great tool to helping learners be successful. It is not only for the
struggling student, but students that are also experiencing academic success. One
thing that I always remind clients about is that…tutoring is a process not a cure.
There are four things one should look for in a tutor. The first is that tutoring should
not be all about grades. It should be teaching a child new skills or showing the child
better and more effective ways of doing homework. Think about it…if an adult (let
me rephrase that by saying a qualified adult) would complete a child’s homework,
would the child get a better grade? But, by showing a child different ways of
approaching work or assisting in areas of educational deficit is the key to helping a
child be successful further down the road.
The second area is how the tutor approaches instruction. For example, if a tutor is
hired to work with a child, how does the tutor foresee future sessions? Are short
and long-term goals set? What are benchmarks for success? What materials will
be used? What will be addressed? These are some important questions. When I
work with a client, I always set goals both with the family and client. Everyone needs
to be involved with the process.
Third, it is important and respectable to ask a tutor about credentials. Figure out
information about your child and see how much the tutor knows. Interview the tutor.
Ask questions like…
- What is your background?
- How many clients have you worked with?
- Do you know anything about (fill in academic subject or need here)?
- What is the time frame?
- What are some current trends in education?
success. Think about it…would a tutor have you call an unsatisfied client?
The last area of importance is seeing if the child is comfortable with the tutor. If you
are going to make a time (and financial) commitment to a tutor, it is vital that there
is a connection between the client and tutor. A good tutor will also tell you that he or
she cannot help the child if there is not a connection. Encourage your child to ask
the tutor questions. In the end, it is the child that will benefit from the tutoring.
For more information, please feel free to contact me.
| Carroll Educational Group, Inc. Chicagoland Area Phone: (847) 769-5569 Fax: (847) 377-9497 web@carrolledu.com |