Tutoring…a three-way team effort

Tutoring should be a three-way team effort, especially in the elementary and middle school grades. This team includes the student, the parents, and a tutor who is professional and knowledgeable. Simply Tutoring, which serves The Woodlands, Conroe, Spring, Magnolia, Tomball and Montgomery, Texas, has tutors who are experts at helping students be successful.

The tutor’s role

Tutors usually spend some time getting the know the student before the actual lesson begins. The student needs to know that the tutor is truly interested in his/her success and that s/he cares about the student.

While most classroom teachers are dedicated to helping individual students, just because of the sheer size of a classroom, it is often a daunting challenge. Here is where the tutor can make a difference. A tutor can tailor a lesson to meet an individual student’s needs and can adjust the instruction as the lesson progresses. For instance, if a student suddenly looks confused, a tutor can analyze the situation right then and there to determine what the problem is. Maybe the student needs the concept taught in a different way, or maybe the student has a gap in his/her learning, which can be filled in by the tutor right away.

At the end of the tutoring session, the tutor might take a few minutes to inform the parents about the concepts being taught in that lesson and how the student responded to the instruction. The tutor might also leave something for the student to complete or work on before the next session. An example of this might be learning multiplication facts.

The parents’ role

It is important for parents to communicate with tutors concerning the student’s progress at school. If a parent informs the tutor of problem areas in advance of the tutoring session, the lesson can be tailored to that specific need. For instance, if the student took a test and did not do well on the test, and the parent informs the tutor about what was covered, the tutor can develop a lesson plan around those problem areas. Tutors can also help with test taking skills if those are needed.

The student’s role

Just as it is important for the parents to be involved, it is also important that the student takes ownership of his/her learning. S/he must be honest with the tutor about his/her understanding or misunderstanding of concepts. Students also need to have a positive attitude toward learning, or at least be willing to attempt difficult skills. Many students who need tutors have not been successful in the classroom, and they are discouraged, often feeling like they are failures. With the proper tutoring, that attitude can usually be turned around. Tutors can begin with concepts where the student can be successful, and then work up to the more difficult tasks.

Student benefits

When the student, the parents, and the tutor work together, it benefits the student. Even if a student continues to struggle, parents will know the progress that is being made and the prognosis for the future. When done correctly, this teamwork will add to the student’s success, which is what is desired by everyone.