Question 1

Is online tutoring as effective as in-person tutoring?

Accepted Answer

Yes, in fact, many tutors, parents, and students feel that it is even MORE effective than in-person tutoring!

First, there is the convenience of not having to leave home for the session.  Parents can have some much-needed free time to get things done around the house while their child is busy having fun and learning during the session.

Second, many students feel more comfortable and at-ease when they are in their own home.  They can be snuggling their favorite stuffed animal or wrapped up in their favorite blanket.  They can even be in their pajamas!  This allows them to be more open to learning.

Third, it's fun and customizable!   Kids learn best when they feel like they're playing, and there are so many interesting and fun virtual learning tools that we can use during our tutoring sessions.  The tools we use are customized to fit the child's interests and their unique learning styles!

Question 2

How much do you charge?

Accepted Answer

For a one-on-one, 50 minute session, the cost is $60.  Two one-on-one, 50 minute sessions per week are $100.

Group sessions for 2-6 students are $35 per student for a 50 minute session. (This is an option available if I have other students already in a similar ability/age level.  If I don't have a group currently available, it is also an option for the parent/guardian to find a friend/classmate who needs similar instruction and ask them to join a group.)

**Special pricing is available for Homeschool learners, so contact me for individual pricing plans that are based on your needs.

Question 3

How does online tutoring work?

Accepted Answer

First of all, we start with a FREE consultation where we can meet over Zoom or on a phone call to get to know each other and what your student's needs are, and see if we would be a good fit to work together.  (Click on the "Contact me Today" button to fill in your information and then I will contact you within 24 hours to set this up.)

If we decide we would like to work together, then we will set up a time for our first tutoring session and you will be sent a link to join the online classroom.  Currently, I am using Koala - it is an online meeting platform, like Zoom, but it is made especially for kids and their tutors, and it is so much more fun and engaging than Zoom!   You will click on the link and come on in.  You can use a Mac or PC laptop, an iPad, or a Chromebook, but laptops work best, if you have one.

For our first session or two, we will work on completing an assessment that will pinpoint your child's strengths and also show us specifically what the gaps in their learning are.

Then, we can get straight to work on rebuilding those skills that are missing or where their understanding is a little shaky.  Online resources are plentiful and will be chosen to suit your child's specific interests and learning styles.  When your child has a caring, professional tutor to work with them one-on-one and tailor each lesson to best suit their needs, you will be amazed at how fast they can make progress!

Question 4

Do you work with homeschoolers?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely, yes!  I love helping homeschoolers!  In fact, I homeschooled both of my sons from preschool through middle school!  I know that some parents are unsure of their ability to teach their child the very important subject of math, and/or sometimes it puts a lot of emotional strain on the relationship when the parent has to be the teacher, so that's where I can help.  I can take the pressure off of you and your child and become your child's teacher for whatever period of time that you would like to work together.  We can have one or two meetings online per week where I can teach them the new skill for the week, and then I can create independent assignments for them for the week.  I would also be available for certain office hours each week, where the student or parent can contact me if support is needed when completing the assignments.

(Special pricing plans are developed for each individual, depending on their needs.)

**Contact me today to set up a FREE consultation and see if we would be a good fit to work together to ensure your child succeeds in building a strong foundation in math!

Question 5

What is included in a one-on-one tutoring session?

Accepted Answer

To begin with, your child will be given an assessment to find out specifically what they already know and what they still need to learn.  This way, we don't waste time and can get straight to work on filling in the gaps that they have.

The full-hour, one-on-one sessions include 50 minutes (20 minutes for the half-hour session) of instruction that is chosen just for your child based on their needs, their interests, and their learning style.  I like to use a combination of games, songs, videos, and practice problems, so that the whole brain is engaged in the learning.  A fair amount of planning time goes into creating each lesson, so that it is fun, engaging, and the most efficient use of our time together.

The first few minutes of each session is used to build a connection with your child by chatting with them about whatever they would like to talk about.  The last five minutes are spent rewarding them for their hard work by visiting the "playground" on the Koala platform!  The playground is similar to Roblox or Minecraft where they can build worlds all their own.  I even reward them with "gems" during our sessions that they can spend to buy extra things for their special playground!

The price of the sessions also includes me contacting your child's teacher to find out what skills they may need help with in the classroom setting (this is optional.)  I can also help them with some homework problems that they get stuck on (I like to limit it to one or two problems per session, so that we make sure to leave enough time to work on the foundational skills that they are lacking.)

Another thing that I offer is extra supporting materials given at the end of each session.  This includes things like links for online games to build math skills, virtual flash cards, videos, printable worksheets, etc.  This is optional practice - some parents want more practice, and some feel it's best not to overwhelm their child with too much - it's totally up to the parent.

Included in the cost of each session, all of my students have a membership to the math portion on IXL.com. (unless you are a homeschool family who has given me a curriculum to work with.)  IXL is a membership website with many types of practice problems, video lessons, written explanations on how to do the problems, and math games for every level.  Students can login any time, and I strongly encourage them to go there on their own to develop an independent learning habit.  I can then see what they did on their own, and if they did well or need more help with a skill.

So, as you can see, there's a lot more than just the one hour of my time that goes into the cost of one-on-one sessions :)

Question 6

What sets you apart from other math tutors out there?