What Tutoring Can Do

Often I get requests to address a student's problem subject, such as math or English.  I refer to these as fix-it calls.  There's nothing wrong with a fix-it call, but in tutoring for an area of need, there's little time to discuss the best reason for hiring a tutor.

A good tutor helps a student to build confidence over time. Ultimately, a student learns to take greater pleasure in school. When tutoring works, there's satisfaction for both tutor and student in seeing a homework assignment done well, and the tutoring time spent well.  Together, the student and tutor fine-tune process and approach.  The student practices the techniques of the tutor and incorporates those that work best.

Think of tutoring as a laboratory in which the student is always refining one study skill or another.  Whether the work is for second grade or twelfth grade, there is a skill that can and should be practiced -- summarizing a story or developing a nuanced argument for a senior essay.  At its essence, tutoring is the discovery of how a student works best, and a tutor's job is to encourage this habit of mind to observe, practice, and hone subtle skills.

In short, a tutor demonstrates a philosophy toward work.  If a student subscribes to this program, then the true benefits of tutoring become possible: increased self-confidence and independence in school.