Ray Steffen In Home - Private Math Tutoring

Feel Free to text me anytime!

570-352-2350

Be Well!

Ray!🙋‍♂️

FAQs

Is it worth it to get a private tutor?

Well, is it worth it to add toppings to your ice cream?

Absolutely!

There comes a time where every parent has reached the limit to how much they can help their child with math and they find themselves at this question “Is getting a tutor worth it?”

On top of it all it pains them to see their child struggle. The questions start piling up…

What do I do now?

What are my options?

Is it worth it to pay a private tutor?

How do I know if they’re good?

Who do I ask?

What do I ask?

Where do I look for a tutor?

Can I figure it out myself?

Will my child even listen to me?

Let me start here, If you like toppings on your ice cream, you’re going to love getting a tutor.

Quick answer… Yes, getting a private tutor is very much worth it.

Obviously coming from me though, being an in-home private math tutor, this answer may seem loaded and biased so let me preface it with - you don’t even need to hire me, just find someone you trust that will guide you along the way. I’ve been in enough homes and worked with enough families to have 100% confidence in a non-biased answer of “yes, it’s worth it!”

Later on I’ll even give you my best strategies on how to find the perfect tutor for you.

Getting a private tutor is like getting a fresh haircut; you feel good, look good, have a ton of confidence and you’re ready to rule the world.

…it’s like getting a great workout in; you feel good, you have more confidence, you have energy and you're ready to rule the world.

…it’s like having someone come to your house personally, when it’s convenient for you, to walk you through step by step every question on your homework, notes and test review packets so you’re ready to rule the class.

…It’s like having someone right by your side familiar with helping students gain confidence and clarity in topics otherwise clueless to most people, answer your questions and help you advance in math class so that you have more time to do the things you love to do with your family without the worry of getting your work “done” and it’ll be correct and you’ll understand it too!

It’s going to feel so good and so much weight will be lifted.

There we go.

Yes, again, it is very worth it to get a private tutor.

They not only help you understand the material, but they take so much burden off student shoulders and parent shoulders when it comes to tough classes and homework time at home, especially in math class.

It’s incredible to see the smiles and hear the praise after just one session! I usually get… “Wow! Where have you been? We should have had you years ago!”

Please don’t take that as bragging. It might sound like it but I’m telling you the truth from hundreds of families I’ve worked with that face this question of “worthiness.”

Of course tutors certainly help you understand the topic and gain confidence in the class but they also provide comfort within each student and within their minds and parent minds.

When students are comfortable and confident they start to explain it to others and then bring comfort and confidence within student classmates, the student’s teacher and of course within the student’s own home amongst parents and siblings and the dog! Everyone around them benefits.

Homework, tests and overall “not getting it” in math class is a huge cause of stress and anxiety.

Man I really didn’t look forward to homework in math when I was younger. I fought with it every day! I wasn’t good at it and I didn’t get it and it was frustrating.

Little did I or my parents know, a private tutor could have taken all that away to free up my time and energy so I could have enjoyed the things that matter more. For me I would have had more time to play outside with my siblings and neighbors. I would have had more time for school sports. I would have been happy and excited for school rather than living in avoidance for 90% of the day.

With a weekly tutor there’s…

No more worrying about getting homework done or studying for tests.

No more arguing with parents about low grades or completing assignments on time.

No more procrastination or being lazy because you’re simply trying to delay the inevitable.

No more “not getting it”

No more frustration and anxiety

No more sitting for hours just staring at your homework

The benefits are refreshing!

Believe me, I’ve tried it. I’ve tried to find the quick solutions that were supposed to change everything and the magic concepts I thought I was missing. But, there is no magic button that is going to make the confusion go away, however, a tutor can help with all of that.

They can guide you step by step in the comfort of your own home. They can explain things that are 100% geared toward your learning style and pace. They can take all that pain, frustration and anxiety you feel each night away and turn it into actually understanding the topic, being comfortable with it and even knowing where the class is going next!

Imagine every tear and every frustration and every moment of stressing about math homework at home is instantly turned into a laugh, a smile, an “ahhaaaa” moment where the kids actually enjoy and they’re curious and happy!

Let’s go!

So is a private tutor worth at least investigating or trying?… absolutely!

But, now what?

Where do I begin?

There are options? Which option is best?

Call / Email / Instagram / Facebook

Which tutoring option is best?

Maybe you’re faced with the possibility of…

in-person tutoring

online tutoring

private 1-on-1 tutoring

group tutoring

after school tutoring with the national honor society

tutoring provided by the local library or town hall

tutoring provided by college students

tutoring by retired teachers

tutoring from active teachers

tutoring from a local learning center

tutoring from a corporate learning center

tutoring from a pre-screened tutoring company that provides tutors

tutoring only from the best known tutor in your area, period.

or maybe even tutoring from a brother/sister/aunt/uncle/neighbor etc. etc..

There are many options, possibilities and of course prices for you to consider.

All of that brings this question up… which tutoring option is best?

The fast answer is this: you won’t know until you’ve tried them all, especially if you're new to the idea of tutoring or specific in what you’re looking for.

(Do you really have to try them all? Heck no, but if you’re like everyone else that has been recently on the fence about tutoring it might benefit you to at least experiment with a few options).

Maybe it would help if you could imagine the perfect tutoring situation that would work best for you and your children and work backwards from there…

What would it look like?

What would be required of you?

What would be required of your child?

How much would you want to pay?

What kind of return would you like to see?

Do you want professional service with a smile or just a quick fix?

Do you want extra work or current materials to be efficient?

Do you want someone that comes recommended or someone nobody else is using?

Reverse engineering what you’d like is a great starting point.

The good news is that you can try and test any option you see fit. You can even try them for FREE!

Hear me out…

Every option that is available to you should always come with a no questions asked trial session. If they don’t, you can always just go somewhere else and find someone that does offer a trial.

Most options offer free trials because…

You don’t know if your child will even like it.

You don’t know if your child and the tutor will mesh well.

You don’t know if you’ll feel comfortable with them in your house or even meeting somewhere neutral.

You don’t know if you’ll want someone young or old, new or experienced.

Yes, even the top of the line, 1-on-1, In Home Private Tutoring from a licensed & active teacher in the topic area you’re interested in, should have a free first session, and I do.

If they don’t, then they’re probably not for you.

I never understood how anyone could charge a new client for the first session if they don’t even know if they’ll be a good match; a healthy fit!

I learned this through hard lessons, but not everyone is meant to work together. Not everyone is meant to mesh well. People have different beliefs and different opinions and different styles. That’s OK.

Find one that compliments you and your children well. If you find one that works effectively, do what you can to keep them and utilize their skills as long as possible!

Every student and learner is different which includes your children so test out each option and find out which one you like the best.

Thankfully, you’re never chained to just one option. I currently have multiple clients that have two different tutors; me and another math tutor either at school or at their home. I’m ok with it… whatever works for them is fine with me!

There is never a commitment either way.

Try them all and find out which one works best for you and your children. You never know, the first option might turn out to be the best and you’ll be set!

You might even find the “next best thing” in your town, spread their name around and help them start their own tutoring business!

Good luck!

Confidentiality , Discretion, NDA… can I request that in my tutor?

I’ve worked and still do work with families that use an alias.

There are many hard jobs that are performed daily that don’t get attention for good reason… and many jobs that are done that most people aren’t even aware of. There are also people that need to be hidden and people that flat out are trying to avoid any kind of attention, but guess what… their kids still need guidance.

Short answer to the question above: absolutely!!

Build a relationship and confidence with a professional tutor and you can feel free to share any concerns or thoughts with them including asking them for discretion, confidentiality or even signing an NDA.

Being a professional in a world where every educator might experience close to 100 different personalities and lifestyles a day, your tutor will handle any request with honesty, understanding and professionalism.

Here are a few scenarios where this might apply…

Ever think of who has to be the one to fire and break the news to CEO’s of huge companies?

What about those people that need to design and program bank software?

People that are hired to transfer cash?

Lawyers that put people behind bars for life?

Billion dollar investors that don’t want to be known for carrying political influence?

Politicians in general?

People in protective services?

Casino owners?

Celebrities, authors, influencers, professional athletes?

Scientists, inventors, creators?

Literally anything in the drug and pharmaceutical industry?

Oil and gas industry movers?

There are so many people that have careers or lives that might require a bit of discretion but also need some help on the education front for their children.

Most professional tutors are happy to oblige and are there for only one reason, to help your children gain confidence and get better grades. Keyword there… Professional. Professional Tutors that have been in the business for years. Tutors that have been forged by changes in the industry and survived. Tutors that could write a book on working with students and parents. Tutors that have created and made a name for themselves within their own territory. Professionals just like in any other profession.

On the other hand, if your tutor doesn’t respond well to your concerns, you now have reason to keep looking for the right fit. There are plenty of people willing to spare a few hours to help out students in need that have the skills, quality and understanding you need.

Lastly, keep in mind, most professionals have a reputation or are certified educators in the education industry where their names and positions need to stay clean as well. The status of being a professional in this field isn’t taken lightly or achieved easily and no professional will risk losing that status by taking your trust lightly. They themselves can’t afford any negative feedback or discrediting either.

Be well!

-Ray

How much should an online tutoring service be?

The price talk!

Well, let's get right into it.

Honestly, from what I’ve seen, it can be as cheap as you want it to be or it can be as expensive as you want it to be.

I’ve seen rates as high as $275/hr from a PHD physics / SAT tutor down to rates as low as $1/hr or even just a donation to a charity in exchange for online tutoring.

If you’re considering paying for tutoring, you need to rationalize a cost that works for you. You need to use your own internal motivations for how much you’re willing to pay.

I personally think it comes down to the old classic supply and demand. If you live in an area where there is more demand for tutoring and less supply of tutors than you’re probably at the higher price ranges ($100-$125/hr). If you live in an area where there are a ton of tutors but very little need of tutoring services you’re probably on the lower end ($7-$12/hr).

I live in Northern Bergen County NJ. I’ve been tutoring for over 16 years in secondary education mathematics privately in homes. I’ve seen many different textbooks and math questions. I’ve worked with thousands of students and parents, communicated with hundreds of different teachers and written and executed multiple math curriculums.

I’ve been through many state and federal education changes and my starting rate is $80/hr for any session online or $100 in-person depending on how far the drive is.

I use that rate because it’s actually low for my area but it provides nearly everyone access to someone with extreme experience to make a lot of difference in their families and childs math understanding very quickly.

My results are almost instantaneous.

I don’t say that out of gloating or bragging but rather from experience. Over the last 16 years I’ve done a lot of things right but also a lot of things wrong and I’ve learned, grown and adjusted to every experience which gives me the ability to provide instant change in any student’s math journey.

I offer families things that no artificial intelligence or alternate math learning institution can imitate or match.

So as for the “price talk” I hope this clarifies the fact that it’s not always about the $number.

It’s not as easy as a price you think “feels good” but more about what it is the tutor is offering and the perceived value of the product to each family.

Find a price you’re comfortable with that offers the services you’re looking for.

Is in-home tutoring better than school?

Resounding YUUUPP!!!

Wow.

I couldn’t be more motivated by answering this question with a “HECK YEAH IT IS!”

Let me put it this way… I can answer any question a student has and help with any handout they’ve been given for an entire month in just one hour.

One hour of 1-on-1 private tutoring is enough time to take a high schooler from “I don’t know anything” to “wow this is actually pretty easy!”

A month of frustration, “not getting it”, fighting with parents and family can easily be wiped away and changed to positive and exciting energy with in-home tutoring in just one session.

I recently gave a FREE session to a new client online last night to both a student and her dad for an hour.

In that one, free, online session both her and her dad were astounded at how easy it was to gain clarity with the concept, make sense of the concept and leave feeling like they were capable of doing anything the teacher could throw at them.

I love reintroducing students to the concepts of thinking, how to think, what to think about, how to analyze their own thoughts and how to move forward with their thoughts. Those thinking concepts give the power to any student to work independently in any class.

Just look at the physical environment in each situation comparing school to private in-home tutoring… You have a classroom packed with teenage kids going through their own physical changes and battling their own drama in their social lives compared with working quietly, alone, in the comfort of your own home and having a personal chef whip up all the strategies of success for you at your own personal pace by your side.

See the difference in just the learning environment alone?

So YES, in-home tutoring is WAYYY better than school!

The end.

-Ray

Is once a week tutoring effective?

Extremely!

Yikes, it is scary how easy and effective it is.

It’s also scary and sad to see how many people don’t take advantage of it and would rather stay in this state of stress and anxiety when it comes to school work and education.

If you’re on the fence about tutoring because of the cost there are options that are FREE! Just once a week is all it takes to free yourself from the stress and worry of any math class.

In that one private tutoring session you will be given more than enough energy, confidence and inner belief to get yourself through to the next session.

Check out my article on how to get tutoring for FREE from highly qualified candidates in exchange for a referral

Once a week - that’s all it takes.

One time a week, have all your material ready to go over. In that hour, have every question answered and multiple problems completed.

You will feel prepared and ready to go!

What makes an excellent tutor?

Let’s gooo!

Such a great question… I love this question because I’ve wanted to do a comparison of Amateurs VS Professionals and I’ll use this to get the foundation built.

Know that I was an amateur for a long time.

I’d say honestly for about 10 years. It wasn’t until maybe the last two years (my 15th and 16th years of tutoring) that I felt confident enough and had enough knowledge and comparisons to really consider myself a professional. It was a hard mindshift and factual acceptance but I’m happy to have the responsibility.

#1 Why?

The first and most important difference between professional and amateur tutoring and what makes an excellent tutor is motive - WHY do people tutor?

I’ve changed my position on this topic just recently which actually got me thinking about this question.

When I was an amateur I only wanted to tutor for the extra money in my pocket. My only motivation came externally in the form of money. That’s a very amateur move (but easily understood and very common).

Professionals know they have a duty to put themselves out there and tutor for the sake of helping kids find their confidence and keep the peace within the family and student mind.

That’s their motive.

Professional tutors work long hours after school each day and even on weekends because they know kids are…

out there struggling

fighting or arguing with their parents

losing hope and confidence in the class

losing energy to try

stressing and losing sleep

seeing other class grades drop as a side effect

…and professionals take it upon themselves to say “Hey, I know your pain. I can help you find peace to get back to a healthy learning environment and salvage this school year. Here’s my number. Let’s have a FREE session online or in-person just to make sure we’re fit for each other. If we aren't, I know plenty of other professional tutors out there that are ready to guide you along the way.”

That’s a professional. An amateur simply sees a student looking for a tutor without feeling anything the family is going through.

There’s the big difference: Excellent tutors are motivated internally, not externally. They take it upon themselves to see a problem and come up with a solution that is not motivated by money. That’s the first thing that makes an excellent tutor.

#2 The ability to say “no.”

Most amateurs will take any job, say they are the best person for that job, accept any payment amount and will never say no to an opportunity to tutor someone else.

Professionals on the other hand, will interview and know the warning signs.

Excellent tutors will make sure the student and themselves are a good fit. That’s why professional tutors will always give a free session first - not so much for the client but also for themselves to make sure the chemistry is there before getting committed to a consistent schedule.

Professionals know WHEN to say “no thank you, let me introduce you to ___ “ and they are familiar with the signs that tell them the fit isn’t a good one. Excellent tutors are capable of seeing where the real problems are and they aren’t afraid to recommend a better tutor for you where you’ll receive a much greater benefit.

Professionals will say no to hourly rates because they know what they are worth, they understand and have a pulse on the market conditions, and they know it will just be a distraction to those parents that are strictly focused on the money.

Professionals also know there are many amateurs out there that will gladly say yes to a lower rate just to make an extra dollar. Amateurs don’t see much of anything else… they see the extra money and simply add you to the calendar. I know because that was me!

#3 Go beyond.

I love this one. Professionals will always go above and beyond the basics of just getting homework completed or studying for a test.

Professionals have the ability to know what the future looks like and how to best prepare their foundation. Amateurs get the current work done and leave 20 minutes early because there’s “no more work to do.”

Sorry amateur, you’re wrong. There is always more work to be done and professionals will know the limits of pushing a student to the greatest boundaries without causing damage but increased tolerance to getting better.

#4 Presentation

Professionals will show up ready to go!

What I mean by that is this: They will show up physically and mentally ready to provide the service your child needs at that time. They will show up with…

Energy

Consideration

Awareness

Respect

Concern

Knowledge

…and even an extra pencil to lend

I hope this comparison of Professionals VS Amateurs gives you an idea of what to look for and expect.

It took me a long time to get to where I am today so there aren’t many professionals out there but if and when you find them you’ll now know.

How much does it cost to hire a tutor?

Out of all the top questions online about tutoring… cost is always in the mix.

As with many products in our world today, the cost is completely dependent on what you’re comfortable with and the utilities your tutor brings you.

If you’re looking to only pay $10 for an hour session you can find a tutor to help you out.

They might not provide the exact education or connection you’re looking for but they’ll only be $10 if that’s your main priority.

On the flip side, if you’re comfortable with $200 for an hour you can find a tutor to help you out and they’ll go above and beyond as well as provide supplemental materials for deeper understanding (hopefully).

With that said, PLEASE, Keep in mind… cost isn’t everything.

I would even argue that cost is only 20% of what should be considered when looking for a tutor.

Time

Efficiency

Results

Confidence

understanding of the material

going beyond current topics

questioning skills

experience working with students

ability to connect

I’ll say that again - ability to connect with the student

Appearance

Communication

ease of scheduling

and flexibility are all traits that should be considered in addition to cost!

Cost won’t matter at all if your child isn’t comfortable with the tutor, if the tutor doesn’t understand the content, if your tutor stinks (literally), if your tutor doesn’t show up on time, if your tutor doesn’t communicate quickly through text, if your tutor can’t adjust to your schedule due to sports etc. etc.

Cost doesn’t give students the confidence they need to thrive independently.

Cost doesn’t give comfort to parents and students that are looking for hope and peace from math class frustrations.

Cost doesn’t have the knowledge to know what’s coming up in the future and how to prepare for it.

Cost doesn’t create strong connections which provide students with efficient learning environments to thrive in.

So if you’re looking to hire a tutor and cost is your main priority, keep these thoughts in mind.

Yes, you can find cheap or even FREE tutors. My school offers three different tutoring programs that are free to students.

The cost is up to you.

Start asking around. Search google. Send out a Facebook recommendation. Interview a few candidates. Try private tutors or even a tutoring center if available.

Come up with a price you’re comfortable with for your area for a tutor you're comfortable with after trying a few options.

Good luck!

Here are my answers to a few other questions that are popular about tutoring.

“How do I find a good tutor?”

“You’re doing everything right, but the grades are still low. Now what?”

How do I find a good tutor?

#1 I think the best way to find a good tutor is through word of mouth.

There is no better form of advertisement than natural references through casual conversation amongst friends and family. There is immediate trust from someone you know that has already paved the way for you in finding a reliable tutor.

Simply ask friends and family. Bring up the tutoring conversation and see what comes from it. You never know, they might even know someone else that recommends a good tutor and you can look into it from there. You can even ask neighbors and other local teachers. Also ask your local Facebook groups and you’ll receive a plethora of recommendations to filter through. So, start by word of mouth and recommendations from others. You should receive plenty of recommendations to test and interview. Find one that connects well with your children, offers what you’re looking for and someone you are comfortable with as well.

You are never stuck with just one tutor. Do not let your emotions of keeping or letting go of a tutor distract you from your overall goal of helping your child with their confidence in class.

#2 A favorite method of mine to find good tutors is using other schools…

Beyond recommendations, you’re on your own to pioneer the way, your own way.

Your kids' math teacher can not tutor students within their own school based on conflict of interest, but feel free to check out other schools' math teachers!

Especially, if you’re finding a tutor on your own, I would try reaching out to fully licensed and qualified teachers to see if they or someone they know is looking for tutoring opportunities. I recommend this method because #1, you know they are qualified and experienced and #2 As a math teacher myself, I would gladly receive an email with a tutoring opportunity from another town nearby.

For example, if I’m in Park Ridge looking for a tutor for my daughter, I can’t reach out to the math teachers of Park Ridge (conflict of interest), but the math teachers of Pascack Hills, Westwood, Montvale, River Vale, Hillsdale, Saddle River and any other neighboring district are all fair game and all their contact information is publicly available online! Sweet!

Give them all an email sharing your thoughts and enjoy the benefit of having someone with daily experience and up to date content knowledge come to your home each week to guide your children on their math journeys.

#3 The next best way to find good tutors is through publications. Look for tutors that are out there publishing good content with the hopes of inspiring others and helping parents help their kids. Do a quick google maps search for “Private math tutor near me” and read their reviews. While on their google page check out the content they’ve produced and any social media they may have. If you’re on the search for good tutors, doing your own research on who they are through their online presence is the next best way. Get to know them through their publications and conduct your own interviews through trial sessions. The best tutors will always offer free initial sessions. You never know… you might just be the one to find the next best tutor and you’ll be the resource for everyone else that is looking for a good tutor.

#4 Lastly, Care.com

This website is built to do the leg work for you. They screen each tutoring candidate through background checks and driving records which the tutors that sign up on care.com pay for and provide themselves so you know they are dedicated tutors. You can filter through tutors within a certain radius, availability, pricing, reviews and many more. Care.com does a good job of bringing highly qualified tutors that are nearby to you and allows you to contact them directly. If all else fails, Care.com is a fantastic resource for finding the best tutors that will fit your needs.

Have fun and good luck!

Feel free to text me anytime with any questions, thoughts, issues or concerns.

-Ray

How do I find a good tutor (again)?

Lately I’ve come across this question and have been approached with this question a lot; from people on Facebook, Google, Care.com, Parents at school or in just casual conversation out and about town.

I’ve been asked this question so much actually I’ve started approaching other tutors online and even in the libraries where I see them and ask them for their contact information to start my own list of available tutors in the area. They tend to give me a weird look like “Wait… you want my number to give to other people?” Yes! Precisely.

You filling in, through my connection, makes me look good and it benefits the family overall.

I physically can not be everywhere and help everyone that asks so if my schedule is full and yet I still get asked I’m happy to recommend other tutors in the area!

Remember, my goal and focus has been opened and cleaned, my vision is clear - the students need guidance and someone there by their side to ease the tension and homework/study frustration. I can only be in so many places at once so to really serve the students and families as best as I can I need to have readily available and local tutors.

Unfortunately, each one of the extra tutors I find can also only serve so many students and families at once so the pattern continues!

So how do parents find good, quality, available tutors to come to their homes or meet in libraries in-person?

In addition to the 4 ways I’ve mentioned above, I recently came across the easiest way to really find and vet tutors and actually - the tutors come to you!

All you need to do is tell the world “I’m looking for a high school math tutor. Any recommendations?”

So here’s what happened…

I had a leak in one of my apartments. I was searching everywhere for a good, trustworthy and reliable plumber. I was lost.

With no luck, no leads and nobody calling me back I broke down and started begging the internet.

I opened up Facebook Groups and searched for any local group in the area.

I copied and pasted this message to each group… “Know any local plumbers?” (with a sad crying face)

Within minutes I had people sending me numbers and contact information. I had people messaging me directly through Facebook Messenger. I called every single person and sent them a text message with a little intro., where I found them and my issue.

I contacted over 20 people within an hour and 8 replied immediately. I instantly knew who the 8 were that I was going to continue talking to.

From those 8 plumbers that replied right away 4 of them were quick to communicate and out of those 4 plumbers 3 of them had great online presence I could do some quick research with. Out of those 3 plumbers there were 2 that were quick to answer my questions and offer support through text and finally out of those 2 plumbers there was 1 guy that was able to drive out there that moment to fix the problem himself.

Within 3.5 hours of telling the world (going to Facebook groups and begging the internet) I had a reliable plumber on the job fixing the issue after almost an entire week of reaching out to people myself and trying to find someone alone.

Moral of the story - when you need someone to come in and help your kids out, tell the world.

Hop on Facebook and find all the local groups in the area. Post to each group you’re allowed to post on and ask “Know any local high school math tutors?”

What’s the cost for a tutor to come to my home?

It’s clear where priorities are and where the focus is when it comes to considering tutors, but for good reason. Not everyone has indispensable funds to afford the best tutors so of course this is going to be a top priority and it is.

Cost is such a popular topic when discussing the option of private in-home tutoring and I completely understand. Cost is all I look at too when I search for cars or clothing or entertainment or even food. If I find a pair of shoes for $10 or a pair of shoes for $50 I’ll probably buy the $10 pair of shoes. However I always run into the same problem no matter how many times I’ve bought the cheaper pair… the $10 pair of shoes usually doesn’t give me the comfort or style I’m looking for and I always end up paying for the $50 pair of shoes anyway.

So what should have just cost me $50 now cost me $60 and even more frustration because I wasted money and more time. I’m sure you’ve had a similar experience like this in your own lives.

My wife does this all the time with jeans, but she’s much smarter than me (see what I did there :-). She’ll find the jeans that fit her well and give her the confidence and style she’s looking for. Even with me nagging in her ear about how much the pair of jeans cost she’s always right. She’d much rather spend the money on the pair of jeans that give her what she’s looking for rather than buy the cheaper pair that’s only going to end up being a problem and a nuisance.

Finding a private tutor is the same way. You may only pay $10 for an hour tutoring session but your child may end up even more confused than before the tutoring session. And just like overpaying for a pair of jeans because they come with a fancy name and credentials, you may also end up overpaying for a tutor just because they have a doctorate degree and a fancy job.

Cost is a very popular topic indeed. But keep in mind what you’re looking for in a tutor first and let the cost be the deciding factor second.

The cost for a tutor to go to your home is varying from town to town. Just look at how much it costs to buy a banana in your local grocery store. Now compare the price of that banana to the price of a banana at a coffee shop. Now compare that price of a banana to the price of the banana you’d find in Manhattan NY. Even more so, how much would that same banana be at the convenient shop right before you board the subway at Penn Station. Compare that price to how much you’d pay for a banana at an Airport after you pass security!

Notice, it’s still the same thing, it’s a banana, and no matter where you buy it from, it’s still just a banana. The huge difference though is cost. The cost of a banana at your local supermarket vs the cost of a banana in an airport is drastically different. Just like tutoring.

Wherever you are and whatever the demand for tutoring in that area will drive up or down the price of tutors coming to your home.

Pros V.S. Amateur tutoring… What's the difference?

Very similar to “what makes an excellent tutor?”

Amateurs do it for the money, pros do it for the student and family need.

Amateurs will tutor anyone, pros will only tutor if there’s a healthy connection.

Amateurs will only ask surface level questions, pros will only ask questions that lead to creative thinking, learning, future growth or conceptual reinforcement.

When reviewing tests, Amateurs will only focus on test questions that were wrong, pros know the value of focusing also on test questions that were right.

Amateurs focus on the time they can leave, pros focus on measuring student understanding to maximize the time they have.

Amateurs will encourage online tutoring for convenience, pros will encourage in-person tutoring for efficiency.

Amateurs will only be able to use the materials that students have, pros know what to look for and how to find materials that will further understanding.

Amateurs have a few references (maybe), pros have references that are specific to your student needs, school, topic and local area.

Amateurs avoid the pitfalls and “embarrassing” stories, pros understand that experience is the best teacher and use the stories to better themselves, the families they work for and the students.

Amateurs will fill their schedule and wipe their hands clean from anyone else that tries to ask for help, pros will have a full schedule each week but take it upon themselves to make sure each parent that inquires is being taken care of, in some way, regardless of who the tutor is.

Amateurs don’t publish, pros have Facebook pages, websites, contact information, publications, videos and blogs all to educate and further their reach and inspiration.

Lastly, amateurs will charge low hourly rates just to make a buck… pros know their value, know what they bring to the table, know they will be able to help the students and they know they will leave a lasting worthwhile impression on the family.

Lot of questions about “how much does tutoring cost?”

Cost is such a popular topic when discussing the option of private in-home tutoring. I completely understand of course. However, the fact is this: it costs money. You’re asking someone with a very specific set of skills and a comfortable ability to use those skills, to get into their car and drive to your house to work 1-on-1 with your children. I’m happy to do so but please keep in mind I’m leaving my own family to be with yours, which I’m happy to help… I just need a little motivation.

Three ways to get better grades without even trying for any level class from Math to Music

Yes, it’s possible.

High school students are different. They’ve had phones in their hands since birth and recently (yes believe it or not, that lovely Covid time period is still fresh) just finished nearly two years of education online where they were introduced to new technological apps and tools daily! Needless to say, their attention span is slim to none compared to prior years and tolerance levels have dropped a few octaves. That is why one guaranteed method to getting better grades without even trying is to read. Yup. That’s it. If you want to help yourself or help another child get better grades, grab a book and read. You can even read music and play an instrument but just read. If you’re not musically inclined then preferably grab a non-fiction book written by the thought leaders of our time but any book will do. Attention, tolerance, creativity, vocabulary, knowledge, reasoning and sense making will grow quickly and in turn grades will sky rocket without even trying for any class.

Verbal explanation - daily. Without even taking out your book bag or going through notes, you can see drastic grade increases simply by using basic recall of your day. The goal is to be in casual conversation and clearly explain verbally exactly what’s going on in each of your classes to the point where whoever is listening can explain it themselves back to you. Don’t cheat! Don’t get your notes out or textbook online. Be able to verbally explain in simple but detailed words what is taking place in each of your classes and your foundation and connection will solidify themselves and increased grades will follow! It’s that simple. Recall and repeat your way to higher grades.

Lastly, have you ever waited until the last second to complete your homework or project? Have you ever said “oh I’ll do it later?” We all have! Think about this… forget about the effect it has on your grades, what about the effect it has on your brain overall? Now go back to that time and put yourself back in your shoes… did saying “I’ll do it later” ever make the thought of it weighing on your mind go away? Did you go the next few days or hours thinking about how much work you still needed to get done? “I’ll do it later” doesn’t make it go away, it’s still there! So instead of being completely present in the moment, sharing time with family and friends you’re spending that time only partially present because of the burden of “later” and how much work you still have yet to do on your mind. So there’s the key! Without doing anything extra, by doing your work first and winning that “later” battle you’ll naturally not only get higher grades but you’ll feel refreshed, have healthier family and friend connections because you’ll be 100% present and rest easier, preparing you for another productive week!

That’s it! 3 easy, quick and painless ways that require zero extra effort but produce massive results.

How can I help my high schooler with math?

It’s very frustrating watching our kids struggle in school.

They don’t “get it” or can’t comprehend how to do certain tasks and it’s hard to watch. Nobody in their right mind wants to see them struggle even though sometimes it may be what’s best to motivate them to find alternative ways to study and learn. We try to encourage going to extra help but when that becomes even more frustrating for them we’re back to where we were in an even more painful spot.

However, we still want to help our children the best ways we can so we can get back to peace of mind and give them a sense of clarity and certainty, hope and confidence - the will and desire to keep going.

Here are a few simple, daily tangible ways you can help your high school child with their math class, or any class for the matter.

#1 Get them to talk about it. It’s as simple as that. Ask them easy questions other than “what did you learn today?” which is actually a very hard question by the way. Get them to talk about math class by asking easier questions like “did you have any worksheets in math today?” “Did you take any notes?” “Did you answer any questions in math today?” Every easy YES/NO question you ask is simply a gateway to starting a discussion which they will continue naturally. If they don’t start sharing stories or talking about math class with you, you just haven’t asked the right question yet. Find that very easy entry way where they accept. Your job is just to engage them one time to find that hook. Then roll with it and let them take it the rest of the way. By getting them to talk about it, you’re allowing whatever is built up inside of them to come out, freeing up a ton of mental capacity and weight on their shoulders which they can then use to focus their minds and reset their bodies.

#2 Even if you can’t do their homework or don’t understand it yourself… figure out their homework with them. Just be there with them. Whether it’s at the table by their side or near them in the same room. Have them explain their homework to you while they are doing it or literally take their notes and review the material yourself, you might learn something. Having them teach it to you is an incredibly powerful tool. Go through the struggles just like they are and put yourself in their shoes. What this does is it allows them to see someone incredibly influential to them go through the same process they are. The key is to struggle through it but then succeed. Show them it’s OK to have to go back and look up certain definitions or go back and google certain types of questions or even show them it’s OK to watch a YouTube clip on how it’s done. Doing it with them gives them the permission to struggle but it also encourages them to take the time to figure it out.

#3 Keep in constant communication with their teacher. Once a week, simply send out a “how are they doing?” email. You are not being “that parent” or a nuisance to the teacher at all. I wish more of my own parents would reach out for a quick update on their kids' progress more often. All you need to do is keep in contact with them to provide small updates. The trick is, that student will be at the top of the mind of the teacher which means they will be under their sharp eye in a good, productive way. Everything from working well in class to behavior can be an important part of the learning process and it will flourish from a simple “how are they doing?” email each week. If you feel like once a week is too much… at the minimum once a month! The consistent email updates will increase the importance of the class perceptually and help students make efficient decisions before, during and after class which will help them tremendously.

You’re doing everything right, but the grades are still low, now what?

You’re studying.

You’re paying attention in class.

You’re taking good notes.

You’re staying neat and organized.

You’re able to “repeat to remember.”

You’re completing all your homework on time.

You’re participating and asking questions in class.

You’re hanging out with the right friends that build you up.

You're going to extra help.

You’re using YouTube.

You’re doing IXL and Delta Math.

Your parents are even highly involved and stay on top of your performance.

You’ve even paid for and met with a weekly tutor!

🙄But, the report cards just came out and the grades are still not where you want them to be…

...now what?

What’s happening?

You’re doing everything right, but the grades are still low.

Talk about frustrating. It certainly feeds the “just give up and stop trying” idea.

Unfortunately, this isn’t rare.

This happens to good students everywhere.

What I have found is this: students that do everything right but still struggle to get the grades have systems hidden internally that they battle with each day!

It's something that only the student can really feel or describe and that only they can repair. Sounds weird and farfetched, I know.

But if you’re doing all the external things mechanically, correctly, and you're still not getting the grades, it may be time to look internally.

Do you just keep making “silly mistakes” that lower your grade? Do you tend to take longer than needed and second guess yourself?

I've worked with thousands of students in math and I've seen it.

This is where it gets gushy and possibly silly sounding, sorry but hear me out...

I had a student the other night working on a new concept. It was an easy concept and she was doing everything right, WE were doing everything right, but she still thought it was all wrong. I was right next to her and guiding her the whole time! Why did she still feel like she was doing something wrong? Why couldn’t she move on?

She genuinely didn’t believe that she was right and she believed she was still missing something. She believed there was more to it and that it couldn’t be that easy. She believed she was never going to understand it yet she was completing the questions flawlessly. In her mind she was doing it wrong and “didn’t understand” the concept. What the heck??

It was fascinating to see actually how powerful the brain is!

That’s when it dawned on me. We were doing everything right with studying and tutoring and getting her homework and notes done and staying organized and even ahead of the class.

BUT, none of that mattered because she was still struggling internally. She was constantly second guessing and making elementary mistakes.

There was some major conflict going on in her head. Major roadblocks she was setting up for herself that were completely unnecessary and yet, there they were.

We started talking about it and we ended up on a story about 4th grade where she was made an example of in front of the class. She said “that memory still burns in my mind.” She said “I still remember that day and have flash backs every time I am in math class. I feel like there’s always something more that I'm missing because of that one time.”

She said “I feel like it’s always harder and more complicated than it is and I struggle everyday fighting that thought!”

She was literally fighting a daily battle in her own mind! Wow. There we were in mid-battle.

She was doing everything right mechanically and externally but her grades were still struggling because of the battles that she was fighting internally every single day. Unreal - but it was happening right in front of me… it was more than real.

Our brains are incredible.

Our brains have the ability to make us cry one second and then laugh another second. Tony Robbins says we can literally change our state of mind in the blink of an eye or in the snap of the finger and it's true.

How else can we be doing everything there is to do in order to get better grades yet still fail each test? Can it really be the teacher? Can you really blame the tutor? Can it really be because you missed a few days of school? Can it really be that you didn’t get sleep one night or skipped your morning coffee? Or is there something inside us that is powerful enough to create our own realities in the same world we’re all in?

Take this into consideration especially if your child is doing everything right but still struggling. It's worth a try.

If you’re doing everything right mechanically and externally, it might be time to ask yourself if you believe you can get higher grades. Do you actually believe that you can get higher grades and do you believe that you deserve higher grades? Do you believe that you can be successful in an honors level program? Do you have limiting beliefs and self value? Can you do it and do you believe it?

It might be time to tell yourself you CAN get higher grades and you CAN understand and you ARE worth it.

Math doesn’t have to be hard and complicated but instead it can be easy and quickly understood. It’s true. The “aha” moment is coming.

The internal factor is a battle we all struggle with but you do have the power to change it and it may be the big difference between an average of a 70% to an average of a 95% or even a 100%!

I have seen students go from 40's and 50's to getting straight A's all because of that one thing that tore down all those mental roadblocks. That freedom feeling is incredibly refreshing and emotionally weight lifting.

Have a great day!

-Ray

Where can I find a Math tutor for FREE?

When I speak to parents who are on the fence about tutoring, they typically believe their child doesn’t have a problem and doesn’t need tutoring. In addition to that, their decision to stay on the fence usually comes down to convenience and price.

Quick question: Why is there a perceived idea that your child can only have tutoring if they have a learning disability or if you think there’s an issue? Why can’t they have a tutor just to bounce ideas off of each week or ask questions?

Your child doesn’t need to have any form of learning disability in order to have a tutor.

Any child could benefit just to have someone there to confirm thoughts, ideas and understandings!

You also don’t need to break the bank in order to have a personal tutor come to your house each week. In perspective, I’m a fully licensed and certified high school math teacher of 15 years, with experience teaching and working with students and parents all across the high school curriculum and my rate is only $100. I’m at the top of the line, one of the best private, personal tutors money can buy, and I’m not that expensive.

Kids don’t need to be struggling in order to have a tutor and parents don’t need to pull out a loan in order to make it happen.

I find many parents search for tutors just to relieve the pressure of homework and test preparation. That’s fantastic. The homework battle can cause much undue stress.

Parents love to bring in tutors just for that little bit of relief and comfort in better understanding the concepts covered during class so their kids can stop struggling.

So if you’re on the fence about tutoring and price seems to be one of your major variables, you might be looking for those FREE opportunities that will provide you with that comfort and relief but also won’t cost a penny.

If that’s you, there is one place I’d highly recommend looking.

What if I told you there is an entire department of qualified candidates looking for tutoring opportunities to spruce up their resumes and gain experience in the teaching/mentoring industry and they’d come to you for FREE?

Well there is!

I was one of those candidates at one point and I needed willing participants that needed guidance and I was willing to drive to you and offer my services for FREE in exchange for the experience, references and resume building.

All you need to do is this…

Find your local college, contact the math department, let them know your child is struggling in math and see if there are any students in the math education program that would tutor for FREE to gain the experience, gain a reference and spruce up their resumes!

I would have jumped on that opportunity quickly and I guarantee you will have a bunch of applicants reaching out to you.

Try this: “Hi my name is Mrs. Baker. My son is struggling in 7th grade math. Unfortunately I’ve reached the limit in my ability to help him and I was wondering if you know of any Math Education majors that are looking to spruce up their resumes, gain experience and a referral that would be willing to come tutor him for FREE. I’m not looking to invest monetarily at this time but I am looking for help and I’m willing to write a referral for those interested in getting into the field. Thank you for your time and feel free to pass along my email or cell number. Sincerely, Mrs. Baker”

It’s a very quick, easy, innocent and yet effective way to find a FREE and QUALIFIED candidate that is also EAGER to tutor.

Your child will thank you for it and you never know, it might be the key that inspires your children to strive for bigger and better careers!

-Ray

How do you catch up if you have fallen behind in Math Class?

We first need to analyze WHY you’ve fallen behind? What happened? Could it have been different? Could you have NOT fallen behind somehow?

Once you truly understand the answer to that question and have really analyzed your own self honestly then we can start to apply tactics on How to Catch Up.

Most students in my experience fall behind due to procrastination and they wake up suddenly one day with 14 missing assignments and a below passing average!

Occasionally though, of course there are circumstances where the student finds themselves in tricky situations that inhibit their ability to complete the work. If that’s the case I’m more than happy to extend the time to accept missing work.

Either way, whether from procrastination or inhibiting situations, the one true method of catching up in math class is simple… put one foot in front of the other.

The big thing I see is “dwelling.” Students will sit there for hours each day dwelling on how much work they have to do instead of just taking a small little bite out of it each day.

It can easily be overwhelming to see how much work there is as a whole so you need to change your perspective. Instead of looking at everything all at once, look at just one part of just one assignment from just one day and complete it. Just one. That’s it.

When you look and focus your energy on just one single thing, it gets easier to complete and easier to comprehend. That’s the secret.

When you’re very far behind in math class, it’s easy to get caught up when you complete one small step at a time. Complete one small assignment at a time. Small steps taken consistently over a longer period of time yield massive results.

So rather than sit there and dwell on the mountain of work that needs to be accomplished, just take one small step. You’ll look back after just one week and see uplifting progress.

Compare that progress to if you were still just sitting there and you’ll have the motivation needed to keep going - to keep taking small steps.

That is the secret to catching up when you are behind in a math class.

What do high school students need to know in math?

This question is very broad considering most high schools are made up of 9th through 12th grade students and a potential of 6 or more different math classes over the course of that time but I’ll take a shot at it.

I think most students need to be proficient in three major areas - How to Solve, How to Graph and How to Apply their knowledge.

Even easier, it comes down to two major concepts - Be able to REASON and Be able to MAKE SENSE.

That’s it, Reason and Sense Making, the foundation of all mathematics.

No matter what concept is thrown at them during the course of their high school math career, make sure your high school student can reason with the content being taught and even further make sure they can make sense or explain the concept being taught.

On a more tangible level though, students should certainly be able to solve any type or format of any equation.

If the question says “Solve…” with an equal sign, be able to solve it. Whether it’s solving a simple two-step algebraic equation or solving by graphing or solving polynomial equations using the rational root theorem, be able to solve. They should be able to solve it AND understand what the solution means. They should be able to verbally explain what the solution means in context of the question.

Students should also be able to graph multiple types of equations and again be able to interpret what that graph means on the coordinate or three-dimensional plane.

Lastly students should always be able to apply their knowledge with multi-part application (word problems) questions. This is the end goal for any class and for any concept taught in math. Our goal is always to be able to apply our knowledge using words and application questions.

Easier said than done of course. However there are MANY online tools to accomplish this on your own with the right amount of motivation. Actually there might be TOO many tools online to help you accomplish this. Experiment with FREE tools first and see which ones you like. Once you find a few that you think will benefit you the most, go ahead and spend a couple dollars to get an upgraded version of it.