6 Characteristics of an Excellent Tutor to Help You Succeed
Finding the right tutor is no easy task. While it might be tempting to choose the first one you see on the internet, or perhaps the one with the lowest rates, there’s no guarantee that the tutor you find will have the knowledge, attitude, and organizational skills needed to help you succeed. Making the wrong decision can lead to disappointment and a lot of wasted time.
At North Avenue Education, we’re taking the guesswork out of the process by compiling a list of the most important factors in selecting a tutor.
1. Superior Communication Skills
Good communication between a tutor and a student (and their family) is the bedrock of a successful partnership. A tutor not only needs to be able to listen to the needs of a student, but also be able to communicate concepts and lesson progress effectively. For instance, an experienced tutor will work to keep parents in the loop on their child’s progress. This ensures that the student will have a system of accountability set up at home. Tutors, parents, and students can all work together to keep the learning process on track. If a tutor is a poor communicator then that cycle can easily fall apart, leading to their student missing out on critical learning experiences.
2. Years of Proven Experience, Qualifications, and Content Mastery
A tutor’s past experience can be a good marker of how effective they will be. It’s well worth asking a tutor where they have taught before, how long they have been tutoring, and what degrees and qualifications they have. Asking the right questions is key to learning how knowledgeable a tutor is in their field.
Here at North Avenue, all of our tutors take rigorous proficiency tests to ensure their mastery of each subject they tutor. We test tutors on everything from AP and IB skills to college-level courses. That validation process, combined with a mandatory three years of teaching or tutoring experience, ensures that our tutors are all as knowledgeable and pedagogically prepared as possible. We know that parents want to avoid hiring an inexperienced tutor if at all possible – a scenario that often squanders both time and money.
There are many talented tutors out there who may not have a teaching degree, but who possess the expertise, passion, and dedication needed to help students succeed. Ultimately, what matters most is a tutor's ability to connect with students, tailor their approach to meet individual needs, and foster a love of learning that lasts a lifetime.
3. Open Personality, Patient, and Understanding
A tutor’s ability to foster a strong relationship with a student is another important factor to look for. Making a student feel comfortable and respected not only helps to create a healthy learning environment, but also encourages the student to look forward to tutoring sessions (a win for parents!).
A tutor should also be flexible in his or her approach, customizing lessons to fit a student’s evolving needs. A friendly and dynamic tutoring space is a surefire way to get students engaged in their own learning.
Above all else, a tutor should be passionate about their work and love what they do. Enthusiasm is infectious, and bringing a student into that kind of environment will always produce good results.
4. Fosters Independent Learning
A good tutor is someone who not only teaches new material adeptly, but also encourages their students to think on their feet. They do this by asking open-ended questions that challenge their students to explore a topic beyond surface-level understanding. A good tutor needs to be able to explain a difficult topic in multiple ways to help the student better comprehend it.
Tutors can also help create a culture of honesty and humility if they don’t know the answer to a question. Instead of pretending to know the answer, an exceptional tutor will admit their lack of knowledge and work together with the student to source the solution, scaffolding trusted research and problem-solving methods. In doing so, they not only foster an environment of honesty and trust, but they also demonstrate to the student that it is okay not to know everything and that learning is often a collaborative effort.
5. Is Empathetic and Encouraging
As students delve into more complex topics and ideas, they often face moments of self-doubt and lack of motivation. That's why it's essential to have a tutor who not only imparts knowledge but also empathizes with the student's struggles.
A good tutor understands that developing confidence in a subject can be a challenging journey, and they will be able to empathize with the student's situation. They can provide a supportive and safe environment where the student can ask questions without fear of judgment, allowing them to gain the confidence needed to succeed.
Additionally, a good tutor will encourage their student to keep trying, even when the going gets tough, instilling in them a sense of perseverance that will be invaluable throughout their academic and personal lives.
6. Willing to Share Past Tutoring Experiences
A good tutor should be willing to share their past tutoring experiences to help their current student better understand the subject matter. By sharing stories about previous students' struggles and how they were able to overcome them, the tutor can provide insight into different ways to approach the material. This can be especially helpful when a student is struggling and feeling discouraged. Hearing about others who have faced similar difficulties and successfully navigated them can be incredibly motivating.
Sometimes you won’t need to ask a tutor directly to learn about their past experience. Previous clients often post insightful reviews of their time with a tutor to websites like Google and Yelp. Looking online can be a great way to learn more about the tutor you are considering hiring.
Important Questions to Ask a Tutor Before Hiring
Before hiring a tutor, we recommend asking them a few questions to determine if they are the right fit for your needs. Some important questions to consider include the following:
What is your educational background and experience in this subject matter?
What is your teaching style, and how do you structure your tutoring sessions?
How do you assess a student's progress and adjust your approach accordingly?
What are your expectations of the student in terms of effort, time commitment, and homework?
How do you handle missed lessons or cancellations?
What is your policy on communication outside of lesson time?
How do you keep up-to-date with changes in the curriculum or advancements in the field?
What is your availability, and how often can we schedule lessons?
Do you require an up-front commitment to a specific number of sessions, or do you offer more flexibility?
Red Flags to Watch Out For
When hiring a tutor, it's important to look out for potential red flags that may indicate the tutor is not a good fit for you or your child. These red flags may include the following:
Lack of experience or qualifications;
Poor communication skills;
Guaranteeing results (which is impossible!);
Lack of preparation or organization;
Lack of engagement or enthusiasm during sessions; and
Frequently cancelling or being late to sessions.
If you notice any of these red flags, it's best to consider other options and find a tutor who meets your needs and standards. Above all, trust your instincts! Your intuition will always be a good marker when deciding who to hire.
Contact Us Today to Help Your Child Reach Their Full Potential
At North Avenue Education, we understand the importance of finding the right tutor for your child. That's why we hire some of the best tutors in the nation, all of whom are highly qualified, experienced, and passionate about helping students succeed. If you're looking for personalized tutoring services tailored to your child's individual needs, we're here to help.
Contact us today to learn how we can help your child reach their full potential. Let's work together to set your child up for a successful future.