I was astounded after reading a tutoring company’s faq where the question was, “I’ve never been a tutor before, is that ok?” The question was fine. It was the answer that set me reeling. It read, “Everyone has to start somewhere. If you are a good communicator and genuinely understand the material, you will do fine.” Yikes.

Of course, every tutor has to start somewhere, but not with a struggling student whose parents trust the company to provide qualified to help. There are plenty of good places for tutors to earn their stripes, but this is not one of them. For example, while working toward their teaching credential, a prospective tutor can gain experience by student teaching, volunteering at an after school homework club, or working as a college teaching assistant.

But what if the individual really, really knows the material? Say your neighbor is a calculus wizard who thinks it would be rewarding to explain the topic to others while earning some extra income on the side. While he may be a great guy and could even become an excellent tutor, without a solid teaching or tutoring track record, he is not qualified to provide the tools a struggling student needs for long-term success.

At TeamUP! Tutors, we have a saying that goes like this… knowing the material is not the same as knowing how to teach it. It’s a philosophy that has been reinforced time and again over our years in the business.

If you simply need a well-intentioned person to sit with your child and make sure the homework gets done, hire a babysitter for about $10/hour. If, on the other hand, you’re planning to shell out five to ten times that amount for serious academic support, do your due diligence to be absolutely certain your child works with a seasoned professional.