At a Glance
- What to Know - and Ask - Before You Start Your Search. Prepare for your search for the perfect math tutor by asking all the right questions – to your child, their teacher, and yourself.
- How can I find the right math tutor? Get the full rundown on all the various sources you can look to for the best private math tutor for your student.
- What are the types of math tutors available? From one-on-one instruction to group settings, from local to online, learn all the different tutoring arrangements available for your child.
- Online vs In-Person Tutoring - Which is Better for My Student? Understand the pros and cons of these two learning environments for math tutoring.
- Take the Quiz to Find the Right Tutor
Standard proficiency levels continue to drop, with only about 25% of American children achieving these levels in mathematics. If your child struggles with math, you know firsthand how frustrating these problems can be for both you and a young student. The goal of tutoring is learning: not just to help solve the problem, but to help students become independent learners. Discussing concepts in mathematics on a larger scale rather than just processes or procedures is essential. Some students believe getting help from a tutor is a substitute for attending class. For students having difficulty in math, time spent with a tutor is supplemental to classroom time - and a great tutor will make them feel like it's fun. Math, fun? It's possible! If you're considering enrolling your child in a math learning program, the most significant benefit you'll see is a boost in their confidence.
What to Know - and Ask - Before You Start Your Search for a Math Tutor
Before you search for a math tutor, you'll need to determine what kind of tutor your child needs.
Questions for Your Student
While stress might be high, a calm and productive conversation with your child is the best starting point. Not sure where to start? These prompts might help:
- What parts of math class or curriculum do you enjoy?
- What parts of math are difficult for you?
- What helps you to focus and learn better?
- Where do you feel you need help?
- How can I be there for you?
Remember to listen and ask to hear their perspective actively. Needing additional help can be a sensitive topic; the last thing anyone wants is to feel like they are failing. Remove any blame or guilt in the conversation and reinforce that you and your student are a team that will tackle their pain points together.
Question for Your Student's Teacher
A conversation with your student's teacher might also help fill in additional perspective as to what areas of improvement are necessary. Here's a good place to start:
- What is my student's disposition in class?
- Where does my child sit?
- What does my child struggle with most in class?
- Do they need help with homework, tests, or general skill-building? What should be their learning goals?
- Does the teacher have any observations about your student's learning style?
What Are You Looking for in a Tutor?
After gathering all this information, ask yourself what type of tutor your child needs. Consider some of these questions:
- Does your child need a tutor to work through each problem together, step-by-step? Or do they need less guidance and more independence?
- Do you want a tutor with years of experience? Or would a high school or college student be sufficient?
- How much do you, as the parent, want to be involved in this process?
Consult Your Budget
Finally, what can you afford to set aside for a tutor after all your monthly expenses? Decide how often your child needs to have lessons and the average monthly range you can pay for a tutor.
How Can I Find the Right Math Tutor?
Now that you know what kind of math tutor you're looking for, it's time to dive into your search. But where should you start? There are plenty of resources you can look to for help in finding an exceptional math tutor. Here are just a few places to get you started.
Ask Your Child's School
Your child's school is a great place to begin your search. You might ask your child's teacher, as they already have a network of people in the educational community to refer to you. They've seen firsthand your child's math needs and learning style and maybe even already have an idea of where you could turn for tutoring. They may recommend other teachers or older students who offer tutoring services.
Your child's guidance counselor or the school's family resource center is another excellent resource. They have a list of after-school study programs, peer tutoring programs, or local tutors in your area working across the school district. They could even offer up helpful study tips for your child.
Check out Local Programs
Look at your local nonprofit organizations, colleges, community centers, or library. Keep an eye on community bulletins or social media accounts for tutors nearby. Libraries and community centers often offer help with math or homework in general. And some colleges provide tutoring for younger students.
These programs may not offer highly experienced, vetted tutors, but they may be free or inexpensive and can help, especially if you don't have as much wiggle room in your budget. They will also be in-person, which can have its downsides. At the same time, having a routine and studying in a new environment could help your child focus. It all depends on your preferences.
Ask Other Parents
There's something to be said about the power of word of mouth. Get tutoring recommendations from parents of other kids your child's age. You could connect at the next PTA meeting or another school event. You could even ask for recommendations from an online parenting group.
You could ask which tutoring service they preferred, the average rates they paid, and the experience level they prefer their tutor to have. Getting referrals from a trusted source can help reduce some of your research time. Instead, you can hear the experience directly from someone who's already been there and done that.
As an alternative option, you could ask a good friend or relative who is knowledgeable in math to become your child's tutor. Or, if your child is in high school or college, they might ask a classmate excelling in math to become their tutor. These potential tutors may not have as much prior experience as other tutors, but at least they already have your trust, and your child might already be comfortable with them. You might even arrange a barter system and pay them for pre-cooked meals, babysitting hours, or other helpful favors. Keep in mind that these options tend to work better as short-term fixes rather than long-term solutions and that it's possible your student might feel embarrassed to get help from someone that close to them.
Search Online
There are many online databases of tutoring agencies or private tutors. You can filter your search to find someone local or to find someone who will meet remotely. You can sort the search so you'll only see tutors specializing in your child's current math subject or grade level. You can even filter your search to only show tutors whose rates fall within your budget.
Go Through a Tutoring Agency
There are plenty of tutoring agencies out there that interview and vet tutors before admitting them to the team, so you can know that any tutor from that agency is highly-qualified.
At Learner, we match your student's struggles, grade level, math subject, learning style, and personality with one of our experienced tutors. This way, you don't even have to worry about the process of searching for the perfect tutor – our matching system takes care of that for you. In addition, with our satisfaction guarantee, you have a free first session, giving you time to test the waters and even switch to a different tutor if you prefer.
One of the best things about working with a tutoring service like Learner is your geographic location no longer limits you. You can work with the best tutors out there, all accessible to you through our online platform, no matter where you live.
We have tutors with various experience levels, math subject expertise, and teaching styles. We have tutors with specialties in all age groups, as well.
You won't have to drive your child anywhere with Learner tutoring sessions. Instead, they can learn from the comfort of their home in our virtual classroom. They'll correspond with their tutor via video chat and work on problems together on our virtual whiteboard.
With our extensive vetting process and our comprehensive matching system, you can rest assured that the tutor your child is matched with will be well-equipped with the knowledge and teaching skills to help your child build up their math skills.
Lifelong Skills Start with the Right Tutor - Take the Quiz to Connect
What are the Types of Math Tutors Available?
There are many different types of math tutors. There are also several different settings in which tutoring sessions can take place. You'll want to explore all your options so your child can gain math understanding in a learning environment best suited to them.
- One-on-one instruction. It's probably most typical for tutoring sessions to take place in a one-on-one setting. Many children work best with one-on-one help, especially if the group setting of the math classroom is distracting to them. This way, the student and tutor can take all the time they need to listen and understand one another, so the tutor can gently lead the student forward in their math progress. This is the type of instruction Learner tutors use and find quite effective.
- Group instruction. Some kids work better in small groups. The collaboration can help them internalize concepts better. Sometimes parents may choose this option as a way to potentially save money by splitting the cost of one tutor among several students.
- Local private tutors. As mentioned before, you could find a local private tutor through the help of your school, community center, or library. Sessions with a local tutor would typically take place in person. Keep in mind, that you might have fewer options for tutors when sourcing them locally since you are limited to your geographic location.
- Peer tutoring. You might also find a tutor in a high school or college student who has learned more advanced math than your child. Or, if your student is in high school or college, they can ask a classmate who is proficient in math to provide tutoring services. Getting help from a peer tutor can help your child feel a sense of community with other students and may also be an inexpensive, or even free, option. At the same time, however, a peer tutor will not have the same expertise and experience as a professional tutor. This approach tends to work better as a short-term solution to the problem.
- Online tutoring. Online math tutoring is Learner's specialty. Finding a remote tutor opens up possibilities for you, giving you access to the best tutors out there, regardless of your location. Learner sessions are one-on-one with an online tutor matched to your student's educational and learning style needs. Our rigorous screening and selection process ensures only quality instructors with demonstrated success are added to our team. Not to mention our matching system and satisfaction guarantee, which work to ensure your child has the best tutor for them.
Online vs In-Person Tutoring - Which is Better for My Student?
There are pros and cons to both tutoring settings. After considering the advantages of online and in-person tutoring, consider your child's individual needs and learning styles to determine which method will suit them best.
Advantages of In-Person Tutors
- Meeting in person can increase feelings of connection and belonging for your student.
- Some children, especially those with special needs, may benefit from some tactile learning activities that may prove more difficult in a remote setting.
Advantages of Online Tutors
- A huge increase in tutor options allows you to choose from the top math tutors in the country, regardless of location. This can be especially helpful if you live in an area that doesn't have much to offer in terms of math tutors.
- Each session is recorded, giving your student the continuous ability to go back and review what they've learned.
- With remote sessions, your student has the flexibility to meet with their tutor anywhere they have internet access. So they can go wherever they'll feel most comfortable and focused.
A Peek at Some of Learner's Expert Online Math Tutors
Maria
With over 10 years' experience teaching and tutoring math, Maria always takes a growth mindset with her students. She has a Ph.D. in mathematics and enjoys teaching math concepts to students in a way they can relate to.
Philip
Philip works with students and their parents right off the bat to define goals and plans for sessions. As a former engineer and a current high school math teacher, Philip believes in boosting math skills one step at a time.
Kasonya
Kasonya always follows the student's natural inclinations in learning math, keeping the environment comfortable during tutoring sessions. Kasonya has years of experience teaching all ages and levels of math students.
Caleb
Having tutored students from middle school up through college age for over 25 years, Caleb is an excellent math tutor. He shows students how to change their attitude about studying, challenging them as he demonstrates confidence in their abilities.
Tracy
Tracy has years of experience as an elementary school teacher and a tutor of math in grades K-8. She believes anyone can learn math and motivates her students by helping them understand the actual purposes of the subject in everyday life.
Ready to Schedule that Free Session? - Take the Next Step with Our Matching Quiz!
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I find a good math tutor?
When looking for a math tutor, you'll want to keep an eye out for their teaching or tutoring experience, any special training or education they've received, and the math subjects and student age groups they specialize in.
When you work with Learner, you don't need to worry whether your tutor will be qualified – we take care of that for you with our extensive vetting process.
Where can I find an online math tutor?
There are several online databases you could search through to find a private online tutor. Alternatively, you can work through a tutoring agency, like Learner, to find an optimal math tutor for your student.
How much does a math tutor charge?
A math tutor's average range often falls between $28-$80 an hour. At Learner, prices vary depending on each tutor's experience, math subject, level of teaching, and the number of tutoring hours you purchase. Keep in mind that you'll get a free session before ever paying a cent!
What is the best math help website?
With our unmatched team of math experts, our rigorous vetting process, and matching system, Learner offers some of the best math tutoring services available online.
How to find a math tutor for your child at any grade level?
Look no further than Learner.com – we have tutors with experience teaching every grade level and expertise in every math subject. Whatever type of math you need a boost in, we have a tutor who can help you with it.
Want to boost your kid's confidence? Take the Quiz today!
