March 22, 2023

By Joe Stroman

Parents all over the world agree that providing their child with the absolute best education is a top priority. For a few families, these institutions come in the form of top-rated public institutions that are nestled within our own neighborhoods and cities. While for the rest of us, based on our socioeconomic status and property values, a top-rated public institution may not be zoned for our consumption. Now, I would never deduce a poorly ranked public institution is a “poor” choice for my child’s education, as they employ amazing staff that choose to be there given the opportunities they may have. However, I am not oblivious to the workloads that are placed upon these teachers, not to mention to the chronic student behavioral issues that they deal with that can distract them from being motivated, innovative, and inspiring to most students. As a parent, I do understand that IF this is my situation, I must find a way to supplement my child’s education to ensure they have the best possible opportunities to succeed. 

Why Hire a Tutor?

What is a tutor? A tutor is a private teacher that provides tailored services to the specific needs of an individual, or a small group. Although some parents see a tutor as costly and unnecessary, tutors can provide a range of benefits at affordable price points. For instance, I once read a forum where two parents were discussing tutoring options. One parent stated, “Why are you paying? The teachers are supposed to tutor your child after school.” Realistically, teachers are not required to provide after school tutorials–especially to students who did not pay attention in class or use their class time effectively. Teachers primarily support students who have excused absences or students who are honestly trying but are struggling to keep up with the content. In addition, most teachers tutor once a week for around 35 minutes and–during this time–are tasked with helping multiple students across different classes and subjects. This limits the amount of time your child is receiving support. So, what is the alternative? Consider hiring a personal tutor! Better yet, consider a personalized, online tutor! 

What are the Benefits of Tutoring?

Online tutoring can provide your child with several academic advantages that can contribute to their overall academic success. Here are some ways in which online tutoring can give your child an academic advantage:

1. Personalized Instruction: Online tutoring offers personalized instruction tailored to your child’s individual learning needs and academic goals. Tutors can assess your child’s strengths and weaknesses, identify areas for improvement, and create a customized learning plan. This personalized approach helps address specific challenges and ensures that your child receives targeted instruction to enhance their understanding and performance in different subjects.

2. Individualized Attention: In a traditional classroom setting, it can be challenging for teachers to provide individual attention to every student. Online tutoring allows for one-on-one interaction between your child and the tutor, ensuring focused attention. Tutors can address your child’s questions, clarify concepts, and provide immediate feedback, creating a supportive learning environment that encourages active engagement and deeper understanding.

3. Access to Expertise: Online tutoring connects your child with experienced tutors who possess subject-specific expertise. These tutors are well-versed in the curriculum and have a deep understanding of the subjects they teach. They can provide clear explanations, offer alternative approaches to problem-solving, and share valuable insights to help your child grasp complex concepts more effectively. Access to expert tutors can significantly enhance your child’s learning experience and academic performance.

4. Enhanced Study Skills: Online tutors not only focus on teaching subject content but also help students develop effective study skills and learning strategies. They can provide guidance on notetaking, time management, organization, and exam preparation techniques. By improving study skills, your child can become more efficient and independent learners, enabling them to excel academically beyond the tutoring sessions.

5. Confidence and Motivation: Online tutoring can boost your child’s confidence and motivation in their academic pursuits. As they receive personalized attention and support, understand concepts more deeply, and experience improvement in their performance, their confidence in their abilities grows. Increased confidence leads to greater motivation, which can positively impact their approach to learning, willingness to take on challenges, and overall academic achievement.

6. Flexibility and Convenience: Online tutoring offers flexibility and convenience for both you and your child. Sessions can be scheduled at convenient times, accommodating your child’s other commitments and activities. The ability to access tutoring from anywhere with an internet connection eliminates travel time and allows your child to learn comfortably in a familiar environment. This flexibility helps maintain consistency in their learning routine and reduces the likelihood of scheduling conflicts that can hinder academic progress.

7. Supplementing School Curriculum: Online tutoring can supplement your child’s school curriculum by providing additional support, practice, and enrichment. Tutors can reinforce what your child learns in school, offer extra practice materials, and introduce advanced concepts to challenge your child’s abilities. This supplementary learning helps your child stay ahead of the class, bridge any knowledge gaps, and develop a deeper understanding of the subjects they are studying.

Overall, online tutoring provides your child with personalized instruction, individualized attention, access to expertise, study skills development, confidence and motivation, flexibility, and supplementary learning opportunities. These advantages can significantly contribute to your child’s academic growth, performance, and overall success in their educational journey. Consider hiring a tutor once a week for starters. Trust me, the long-term advantages will outweigh the immediate costs.