Education is paramount to a person's future success, and parents who appreciate this fact often wonder how they can increase their child's chances of success academically, thereby increasing their chances of success in life as an adult. Whether a child attends school in a traditional public school setting, in a private or parochial setting, or is home-schooled, many will benefit from a new point-of-view or teaching style in a certain subject. Enter the home tutor.
If you are already considering being a home tutor, then presumably you already meet the first criteria, a love for and desire to teach. It should go without saying that if you do not enjoy guiding a child through a subject matter or academic process that is particularly challenging for him or her, home tutoring will not be rewarding for you or your clients. On the other hand, if this is something that you find fulfilling, you are ready to move on to the next step.
Establishing yourself as a credible tutor in your community will be mostly dependent on word-of-mouth advertising, as parents are more likely to trust the recommendation of a friend or colleague than an advertisement or flyer. Therefore, you must be prepared to network in order to establish and grow your business. Start with friends and acquaintances who are parents. Even if they do not require your services, they might know someone who does. Simple business cards, either ones you have made yourself or have ordered, should be on-hand at all times. Ask your friends to spread the word that you are available to help children and families in need of some academic support and guidance.
Once you have established your first client, keep in mind that it is not always the most educated, most brilliant, or most business savvy tutors who succeed, but rather it is those that are best able to communicate with their students. Being patient and empathetic are absolutely required in a tutor/student relationship because the student is probably already discouraged by the prospect of learning something that heretofore has been so challenging. If he or she can tell that you are truly on their side and are willing to try many different tactics just to see them succeed, their positive response will make the first, and any future, learning experience remarkably easier.
In addition to these character elements, it is helpful for a home tutor to have excellent research and organizational skills. Most students will be expected to do well on standardized tests, so a tutor who has researched and familiarized him or herself with the standards expected and is able to help their students achieve those standards will be well-regarded as a good investment in a child's success. And as with any home-based business, a tutor should be organized so that ample time is scheduled for each child, that all appointments are kept in a timely manner, and that income and expenses are carefully tracked.
Home tutoring can be a rewarding and enjoyable career for the right individual. If a person truly enjoys teaching, has the ability to make complicated things seem simple, and can empathize with even the most challenging student, he or she has the makings of being an excellent tutor. As long as you are willing to network, research, and stay organized, your chances of success are excellent.
(Reference: http://ezinearticles.com/?Home-Tuition---How-to-Be-a-Good-Home-Tutor&id=3560217)
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