How to get into tutoring - is this even a need in our area?

[Anonymous]

After deciding to stay home with our baby for a year, I'm missing the classroom. I've seen my former school dissected in this board many times, and I admire, to some extent, the efforts parents in this area make to stay involved in their kids schooling. Since I miss the literature (I taught AP Lit, among other things) and the teenagers, my husband has suggested I try tutoring. However, anyone I talk to that tutors just "knew someone." So my question to you as parents: what resources do you turn to for legitimate tutors? Are there programs or organizations you like more than others? I know FCPS maintains a list, but that was not my county. Just curious!

[Anonymous]

Talk to your former co-workers and let them know you are interested.

[Anonymous]

Whether or not it's actually needed this widely, there is a huge demand for it. Many teachers tutor on the side as a PT gig or while on leave as you plan. BTDT. Consider whether you really want to freelance or want to go through an agency. I freelanced and loved the flexibility, but I also had 3rd and 4th income streams so I didn't care if I only had a few students in a given month. My XH went through an agency and had to take what he was given, but had steady work: one student a day, 5 days a week every week September to June.

[Anonymous]

The money is different if you do it on your own vs. working through and agency. Once you get established and get enough students (and build up that word of mouth that is the best way to get new students), you can bring in a good amount of $ and can set your own price. But until that time, there's probably not a lot of income coming in. If you work for an agency, you can get jobs and a steady amount of money but they will be keeping much of what the parent pays so your pay will be significantly less.

So look at what your main motivation is--bringing in income or having the teacher-student experience that you miss.

I chose to work through an agency when I needed to bring in some extra $. It was in-home tutoring, and I could choose which students I wanted to take on based on age/grade and their location, so it can be a pretty flexible situation, which was helpful to my situation.

[Anonymous]

Are you near the Tutoring Club of McLean? My friend runs it, and she is usually in the market for good tutors to join their team. You might want to try something like that. The money might be less than if you were going it on your own, but you wouldn't have some of the hassles of finding clients on your own.

[Anonymous]

Thanks all - definitely interesting ideas! I'd eventually like to do it on my own, but perhaps joining up with a group is the best way to start.

[Anonymous]

Also reach out to any contacts you have at the schools that fed into your high schools. I tutor, and many of my clients have come from referrals from them. You could also contact any schools around where you live and provide them with your resume and references. Although schools usually are not able to recommend that a student receives outside tutoring (if they recommend they will have to pay for it), they can share information about tutors when asked.

From my experience, many middle and early high school students also need help with executive functioning skills. If you feel comfortable helping with this, you might want to highlight it.

[Anonymous]

So shortly after writing this, a student's family from my former school reached out about needed tutoring services. They were asking me what pricing I would consider, and so I wanted to come back and ask: what is a fair and reasonable amount to charge for tutoring in AP subjects as a former AP teacher?

[Anonymous]

Depending on my relationship with the family, travel distance, and the frequency of sessions, I charge from $50-$75/hr.

[Anonymous]

I would definitely highlight if you can provide executive functioning and writing skills coaching.

My freshman DD has an executive function coach through a service, and we pay the service $90/hour. I would love to find someone "on the side" who does the work for $50-$75!

[Anonymous]

I have passed on contact info of friends who tutor to families of students. The advantage of knowing the tutor is that I can explain the assignment and expectations in detail to the tutor, and the tutor and I can really work together to help the student. I do this for weaker students who need some extra help with a concept, or with general writing skills.

Why not contact your former colleagues in the English Department to let them know that you are available to tutor students?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would definitely highlight if you can provide executive functioning and writing skills coaching.

My freshman DD has an executive function coach through a service, and we pay the service $90/hour. I would love to find someone "on the side" who does the work for $50-$75!

Do you know how this person became trained to be an executive function coach?
What is their background? Teacher? Psychologist?

[Anonymous]

Do you know how this person became trained to be an executive function coach?
What is their background? Teacher? Psychologist?

She's a PhD student in clinical psychology. She specializes in kids with ADHD, anxiety, and executive dysfunction.