Tutoring online for the early elementary grades

[Linda Lichtenstein]

Thanks for your response to my question. I substitute teach in my school district. Since I am not a "true" employee, would it be detrimental for me to go to the principal and let her know of my intentions of tutoring or would it be better to go through the teachers etc. The truth is, I don't want to upset administrators because if I upset the administrators they will stop calling me. This is my only source of income. The reason that I am worried about this is I know someone that went to a school board meeting. He was a substitute (he was a retired teacher) with about 25 years experience. He said :when I go into a classroom, the plans are well prepared, but he said the teachers are out of the classroom too much. Apparently, they didn't like that comment and they stopped calling him to sub.

[Shari N.]

Administrators of a school would like nothing more than high scores and success from their students. I don't see how they would not want someone who is familiar with the curriculum and the teaching styles used in the school to work with the students. Wouldn't that be the best scenario? I wouldn't see a problem with informing your administrators that you are starting your own tutoring business in the afternoon and evenings and will be working with kids in the area and will be available to work with students in their school. I think it would be a win-win situation for everyone!

[Scott Palat]

I agree with Shari.

Most administrators who I ran into love the idea of online tutoring. They'll do just about anything to help their students succeed. The only problem with the system is that it revolves around a yearly test.

I once had a meeting with about 20 superintendents. During this meeting, I showed a presentation of my online tutoring classroom and offered my services to their students. They were all extremely interested, but nothing ever came of it, because my service was not taylored to their PSSA tests which are part of the No Child Left Behind Act.

I only offered online tutoring to their students. If I would have offered a step by step online tutoring program to help their students pass their PSSA tests, I would have gotten many contracts.

In fact, I watched another company pitch them right after me and they offered a software that helped students pass their tests. Most of the superintendents signed a contract with that company.

It was a good learning experience and I have no regrets. I am much happier helping tutors make a real difference with individual students who have their own dreams, goals and aspirations. Online tutoring gets students excited to learn. Software on it's own and face to face tutoring just doesn't have the same affect in my opinion.