The benefits of hiring a private tutor (spoiler alert: it's more than just academics!)

Hiring a tutor is like having your own teacher all to yourself, whenever you need, on-demand. It goes without saying, teachers are amazing people who care for their students and do everything in their power to help them succeed. The truth is, however, that they simply do not have the time, resources or attention to be able to devote the energy needed to fully support every student. With class sizes in elementary schools ranging anywhere from 20 to 35 students, it’s not a surprise to see so many students struggling not only academically, but also socially and emotionally. Teachers try their absolute best to differentiate their instruction, modify expectations, and implement a universal design for learning for every student to succeed. Sadly, many students still require extra attention and often find themselves struggling to keep up with grade level expectations. This is where a tutor can come in handy. Here are four reasons why hiring a tutor can be beneficial in more ways than one:

1. The academic support

This is the obvious answer. When a student has a tutor, they are able to cut to the chase and immediately receive support in the areas that they need most. If a student is struggling in reading, they may only get 20 minutes of reading practice at school per day - if they’re lucky. If a student is below grade level in number sense and numeration, a teacher may provide the student with easier work to stay busy, but that’s not going to help them bridge the gap from where they are and where they need to be. The lowered expectations compound over time and students fall further and further behind each year. A tutor will help to bridge the gap in whatever area they need most. They will work with the student to set goals, provide direct support, and try to find ways for the student to grasp whatever it is they need help with. Working with a tutor for just 2 hours per week can make an incredible difference. That’s a total of 80 hours of direct 1:1 support over the course of a school year! With this time devoted to learning, students will be able to make significant gains, earn higher grades, and meet whatever academic goals they set out for themselves.

2. They can be a positive role-model

For many children, having a positive role-model to look up to is such a critical part of their development. I have personally worked with students who did not have much support at home or someone to help guide them in the right direction. This made tutoring these students feel much bigger than just academic support. I found myself helping them make important life decisions, giving them advice, and helping them set higher standards for themselves. Of the many positive habits I try to teach, one of my most important is to stay consistent in whatever they are learning and to not give up when things get difficult. I teach students to have a growth mindset and to approach challenges as opportunities to learn and improve. Every teacher or tutor has something unique to offer, and if you’re lucky enough to get a good one, they truly can make a significant impact in a student’s life.

3. Accountability

We all want our children to be more independent and responsible. Don’t we wish that they’d all make their bed, help around the house, and ensure all their homework is done? A tutor is someone who can help students become more accountable in different parts of their life. By showing up to tutoring each week, students need to make a commitment to show up on time, and give their best effort for the duration of a session. They learn to demonstrate accountability by setting goals, completing homework, and working hard to improve in their learning. They begin to understand that their parents are investing in them and that when it’s time for tutoring, it’s time to put in the work. This act of showing up and working at something that is challenging will certainly translate to other areas of their lives - and hopefully will even get them to make the bed!

4. Confidence and self-esteem

When a student constantly struggles or fails to meet expectations, it can take a massive toll on them. Seeing poor grades and negative feedback can start to change that student’s identity. They start to think, “if all my teacher’s think I’m bad at math, maybe I’m just not a math person.” This in turn leads to less effort in math class, bad grades continue to pile up, and it becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy. What if we can change a student’s mind that they can get better at math? How would a little taste of success help their confidence? By working with a tutor, they can begin to set goals and work at reaching them in a stress free manner. By setting SMART goals (specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, and time-based), we can begin to celebrate their small successes and give them the confidence to put in more effort knowing that they are making improvements. This will translate into the classroom and help to build their self-esteem as learners. It’s never too late to change our perception of ourselves - all we need is a little spark.