Three Steps to Finding A Great Tutor in NY

So here they are: Three Steps to Finding a Great Tutor

1)  Get a REFERRAL from someone you can trust.  Often the most difficult part of finding a tutor is knowing who you can trust.  If you don't know any tutors, the next best thing is to get someone you know to recommend a tutor.

Your school's guidance counselor will often keep a list of online tutors, but try to dig deeper than that.  If a company or tutor is on the list, it just means they sent the school an email and asked to get on the list. 

Try to get a guidance counselor or teacher to recommend a tutor they know personally, and you'll save yourself some worry.

Also, don't be afraid to ask other parents.  Oftentimes, parents are embarrassed by the fact that their child needs a tutor.  Don't be.  About half of the students I've worked with over the years ranked in the top 10% of their class.  Getting a tutor doesn't mean your child is stupid, it means he or she is lucky enough to have parents who are smart enough to get outside help. 

2)  CALL your prospects.  Once you get a list of potential tutors, give them a call and talk to them on the phone.  Personality is THE most important quality you're looking for in the person who will be tutoring your child, even above academic prowess. 

A tutor who solves differential equations in his spare time might not be the best choice for your baseball-fanatic son.  Remember, a personality match is more important than academic credentials.  Theoretical physicists from MIT may do a lot of things well, but teaching Algebra I probably isn't one of them.

Next, get some references while you're on the phone.  Any good tutor should have at least a few happy clients.  If you found this tutor by referral, you can skip the references.  But it's someone you found online, it's probably a good idea to at least email a few references.

3)  Start SLOW.  When you find a suitable tutor, have them tutor your son or daughter for one hour.  Tell them you want to see if it's a match.  Do NOT set up a schedule for the next six months before you ever meet him/her in person.  Let them know you want to take it slow. 

Taking it slow will ensure the tutor will do his or her best work.  After all, they're in this (at least partially) for the money, and they'll work extra hard with students who they think might leave for another tutor.  Tutoring is competitive.  Use this to your advantage.


Ok, that's it.  You're ready.  Now go make some calls!