Tutor FAQs
What kind of support and training do you provide tutors?
At
Commonwealth Education, we rely on a tutor's ability to explain
difficult concepts to students. While we provide any support
necessary, there is a level of innate teaching skill that we seek in
our tutors. We strive to give our tutors great range in teaching
styles, as every student is different. While one student may learn
best by step-by-step progression and explanation through a geometry
proof, another may learn that same proof best by being asked leading
general questions about the problem and guided gently down the path to
the solution. Often times memory tools prove successful. This is an
oversimplification of the process, but highlights the fact that our
tutors are intelligent and perceptive and have the attributes to best
decide the course of action for their students.
How often can I tutor?
As
often as you like. The only stipulation we have is that tutors are
prompt (arriving 5-10 minutes before scheduled meeting time). We get extensive
feedback from students and their families, and may suggest a reduction
in appointments if timeliness becomes an issue.
How long should sessions be?
We
have found that one to one and a half hour sessions prove to be ideal.
Any more than an hour and a half and the students and tutors begin to
fatigue, and any shorter than one hour, not enough material is
covered.
Does Commonwealth Education provide transportation to appointments?
Unfortunately we
do not provide transportation. Our tutors must have access to a car or
reliable means of transportation to and from tutoring sessions.
How often do I submit my timesheets?
We receive all time sheets on the first and third Fridays of the month, with checks being issued the following week.
What happens if the student/tutor match does not seem to be working?
Sometimes, by no
fault of the tutor or the student, a match just doesn't click. While
we encourage our tutors to be very flexible and exhaust all possible
avenues to help their students overcome their obstacles, we understand
that as a last resort a change needs to be made to the team. If you
and your student have hit the wall, do not hesitate to contact us.
I am nervous about going into someone's home that I don't know. Can we meet at my house?
While
your comfort level is of paramount importance to us, we require that
all sessions occur in the home of the student, with at least the first
three sessions occurring while a parent is home. In certain
circumstances, other arrangements may be made, but only with the
express consent of the student and his or her family and Commonwealth
Education, and only after three sessions have been completed.
Question not answered here?
