Public Launching

We are launching our blog! I'm really excited to see how this will grow.  There is a HUGE need for parents to have a central hub that they can go to and find a reliable tutor. Finding a tutor can feel like an illusive hunt for a parent.  It's my hope that both parents and educators can interact through this blog and begin connecting!~Stacy

New Beginnings

As a parent and educator I find myself sometimes bogged down by my own shortcomings. Some days go great and others are lacking in; how shall we say, awesomeness. Surely, I'm not alone in this. I think it can become difficult when you feel like your lacking in both. Some day's my parenting is more on target than my educating. Then there are days when it's reversed and some days I feel like I have failed entirely. Those are the really tough days!

One thing that I'm learning is that every day is the opportunity for a new beginning. Every beginning brings with it the opportunity for optimism, greatness, and unlimited possibilities. If this thought hasn't occurred to you then give it a whirl. Look at the beginning of each day as something special,

© Sheli Spring Saldana | Dreamstime Stock Photos

something new. Then take a look at your students and yourself. Next imagine all of the wonderful opportunities that await you. Perhaps today will be the day that you experience a break through in learning with your student. Could today be the day that those difficult tasks they have been working so diligently to comprehend sink in; and they sail past it onto something tougher? Or is it possible that maybe a difficult or stubborn attitude will be exchanged for a smile and simple joy?

Being a tutor, mentor, private instructor, or parent can feel like the best job in the world! And it should! You are personally helping to shape the lives of others. There is nothing else that can compare with that. Always remember that what you are doing is vital; even if it feels small in the moment.

If you are having a tough day, week, month, or year try to remember that every day is a new day. Every new day brings with it a new beginning. And every beginning is filled with amazing opportunities!

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Inspirational Quotes

Here are just a few quotes to inspire you on this Tuesday. Enjoy!

 "System in all things should be aimed at; for in execution it renders everything more easy." ~ General George Washington

"How far you go in life depends on your being tender with the young, compassionate with the aged, sympathetic with the striving and tolerant of the weak and strong. Because someday in your life you will have been all of these."  ~ George Washington Carver

  "Above all things I hope the education of the common people will be attended to; convinced that on their good sense we may rely with the most security for the preservation of a due degree of liberty." ~ Thomas Jefferson

"It must be remembered that the purpose of education is not to fill students with facts...but to teach them to think." ~Robert M. Hutchins

"If you think education is expensive, try ignorance." ~ Derek Bok

"When one door of happiness closes, another door opens; but often we look so long at the closed door that we do not see the one which has been opened for us." ~ Helen Keller

"The essence of teaching is to make learning contagious, to have one idea spark another." ~ Marva Collins

Play Ball!!!

"Play Ball!!!"dreamstime

 Have you ever thought you would say that while tutoring? Me neither, but I did today. When my student arrived he was overly tired.  His long day had left him feeling quite sleepy. What is a tutor to do?

My answer was to play baseball! It's America's favorite past time and it happens to be something that most little boys love. We headed outside and decided it was time for some pitching practice.  I set up the soccer goal and as he read the flashcards he would hurl a pitch into the net. Amazingly, he perked up! A little sunshine, some fresh air, and a bit of exercise was exactly what we needed to invigorate our tutorial session. He was so happy! The bonus was that when we came back inside to begin our reading exercises he was calm and ready to work.

If you have access to a bouncy ball and a sidewalk; try playing ball the next time your student seems restless. Throw in some flashcards, spelling practice, math facts, science trivia or anything else you can think of. Have fun learning in the sun!

Games & Learning

dreamstime

Sometimes as a teacher you have to know when to break out the games. If you're really on your game you'll utilize this time for learning. Games in and of themselves are comprised of learning steps. Take, "Monopoly" as an example:

1. Math Skills Galore! ~ Money, addition, subtraction, multiplication, & ordinal numbers

2. Reading ~ A player has to be able to read the board, cards, and directions.

3. Logic/Strategy ~ One must be able to recognize when it's a great time to purchase property, seize upon others renting your space, save or use a Jail free card, when to acquire funds, & when to spend your funds.

4. Patience ~ A player has to understand that not every roll of the dice will play into their favor. Learning to bide your time as you acquire new  property can be nail biting.

5. Good Sportsmanship ~ Being happy or content for another player despite what's happening to you; is a much needed life long skill. 

6. Etiquette ~ A player has to understand that there is order within a game; you must abide by it. It's also important to learn at an early age that it can be tough to play with others; and how one can handle this with grace. 

Games give us the opportunity to teach so many valuable lessons while having fun! My children love to play games. When I look into our game closet; which can be scary because you might be crushed, I can't find one game that doesn't teach a lesson. A while back we sat our kids down to play a family game of, "Spiderman Matchup." Oh my word, that was the longest 2 hours ever!!! However, it was filled with learning opportunities. I discovered that while my children where amazing Wii players, cell phone game addicts, and laptop game experts they had ZERO ideas on how to play a simple board game. I was astonished!!!! We had great difficulty taking turns. Game etiquette, what's that? Remembering the rules of the game was extremely trying for our five year old; and super trying for everyone else! Granted he was a brand new five at the time, so we can cut him some slack. Strategy? Come again, this was a new concept. A phone doesn't require you to make strategic moves and the computer just does it for you. After the game began wrapping up; ok so we helped it along a bit, we had to have a talk about having Good Sportsmanship. All of this to say it was a LOOOOONG game but I'm so glad we stuck with it. It was chock full of learning opportunities.

So when you find yourself, your student, or child in a learning slump and need a new approach; why not pull out a game? Run to your game closet and pick out something! Chances are if you choose well the lesson will be hidden within the fun and you'll still be teaching. The bonus will be the memories that your child or student has from just playing a game with you.

Wisdom

"One looks back with appreciation to the brilliant teachers, but with gratitude to those who touched our human feelings. The curriculum is so much necessary raw material, but warmth is the vital element for the growing plant and for the soul of the child." -Author Unknown

 

Perhaps you remember with fondness a specific teacher that you had. I have a few that stand out in memory. My first would be my 1st Grade teacher Mrs. Read. She was simply amazing. I was in awe of her and the way that she loved us. The only lesson that stands out to me was the one in which I tried to copy the letter Z off of my neighbor's paper. Really??? I had to cheat when learning the alphabet. My momma knew I was going to need a lot of help! Nope, what stands out to me was her smile, warm hugs, her beyond amazing treasure box, and most simply her essence. She watered my heart every day as I sat in her classroom. I loved just soaking her in.

The second teacher that stands out in my memory would be my 2nd Grade reading tutor, Mrs. Bigalow. She was our pastor's wife and I would happily go to her house two afternoons a week to study phonics. I loved sitting at her kitchen table, eating a warm cookie or two, and practicing my word blends with her. Once again there isn't just one lesson that stands out but instead she does. She was warm, encouraging, safe, and made me feel smart. I loved going to Mrs. Bigalow's home.

The third teacher that comes to mind would have to be Coach Terrel. If you ever had Coach Terral you would know that he was famous for giving "The Lecture" every year. He seemed gruff but I knew better. He was a sweet guy, excellent teacher, wonderful coach, and really cared about his students excelling. Again,the only lesson I remember was that lecture, and it was awful, but what stands out was his compassion, spirit, and true zeal for his job. He loved teaching!

Another amazing teacher that stands out among the others would have to be my Senior Geometry teacher. I can remember his face clearly even if his name escapes me now. This man was inspiring! He gave so much to his students. My senior year he would give after school, free evening tutoring. Most of our Senior class would show up out in the back portables of our school, waiting to learn from our best teacher. He was patient, never tired of our endless questions and confusion, and always showed up happy to help us. Those study sessions filled with 20 to 30 kids, and Route 66 Sonic colas, stand out in my mind like yesterday. If he hadn't been so selfless I probably wouldn't have passed those upper level math courses, and would have been beyond confused in my college math classes. He was an unsung hero. In fact it wasn't long after that when I learned he had been terribly sick with cancer the entire time. People, that is what this thing called teaching is all about!

It's not about the great lesson plans, the cute message boards, apples on the desk, and summer breaks. It's about pouring your heart into the life of another human being. It's about inspiring and encouraging. It's about lifting a child or student up and telling them that they are valuable and have amazing things ahead of them. I hope that you will be the teacher that stands out in the memory of a student 30 years down the road. Be the one that gave them the confidence to soar.

Learning Helps

It's a gloomy Saturday morning here in Texas. We had rain, thunder, and lightening in the wee morning hours. I was sure that my sleepy brood would have happily dreamed and slept in this morning. Boy, was I wrong! Everyone in our home was up by 7am. I'm making a pot of the strongest coffee I can right now!

© Johanna Goodyear | Dreamstime Stock Photos

One thing about waking up earlier than planned is that I've begun thinking once again of the monumental task ahead of me this week. Throughout the past couple years of tutoring here in East Texas I have had several students with learning disabilities. They have ranged from having Dyslexia, ADHD, ADD, and others with just "something" as their parents described it. At the moment I'm working with a student who has one of these struggles.


If you are a classroom teacher then I know you have these beautiful kids in your classroom. If you are a educated professional just beginning to tutor you might not be as familiar with these learning challenges. It can seem like an overwhelming task to take on. Often times you may just be thinking, "Where do I begin?" One thing I've learned is that each student is an individual case and there are no two students alike.

I'm always researching new methods, curricula, and approaches every time I gain a new student. Even if my student hasn't displayed a learning challenge I want to approach their subject matter in a new and fresh way. Sometimes simply having the material approached and delivered from a new angle can unlock that, "Ah Ha!" moment.

That's what I'll be doing this morning while my babies are watching Saturday morning cartoons. I'll be researching another way to approach phonics with my student on Monday. Hopefully this time I'll hit gold!

A Few Helpful Links:

Information on Dyslexia in the Classroom
Gelncoe 

Reading & Math Helps for Tutoring
http://mathandreadinghelp.org 

Games
http://www.educationalsolutions.com 

Reference Material
The Knowledge Nook 

Things To Look For In A Tutor

 If you are looking for a tutor there are some keys things that you'll need to look for.  This is one of the beautiful aspects of Tutor Mash Up!, it's a great place to look at your many options in available tutors. You can take the time to really research, communicate with, and get to know your child's tutor before you ever meet for a 1st lesson.

When considering whom to choose there are a few questions to ask, as well as list of things to look for.

1. When you look at a tutor's profile picture how does it strike you? Chances are if their profile picture isn't a professional representation of them; they might not be the professional tutor you are seeking.

2. Have they clearly stated what their field of expertise is? Just like there isn't one type of medical doctor but rather doctors who practice specialties; the same holds true with tutors. You need to find the tutor that specializes in the field of study your student is needing help with.

3. Is the fee that they are asking being paid a fair or reasonable amount? Only you can determine what you are comfortable with paying. However, always ask around and get a good feel for what the market is like in your area. Again one of the major benefits of going through Tutor Mash Up!, is that we do not charge any additional fees for service link ups like other resources do. It's free for you to research the market. Take advantage of this and negotiate the best rate for you!

Here is an excerpt from  Care.com

"If you hire a tutor to come to your home, you will negotiate the rate. A tutoring agency or center, on the other hand, typically charges a set fee for its services, plus a registration fee.

Private Tutors

• Individuals generally charge according to their level of education and experience. Expect to pay $10 to $15 per hour for a high school student, and up to $75 per hour for a certified teacher with experience. A teacher trained and qualified to work with children with special needs will likely charge more. Rates can vary quite a bit depending upon your location.
• When you start making inquiries about tutors in your neighborhood, ask about the going rates so you get some sense of the market. Tutors tend to charge more in large cities, where the cost of living is higher. For example, if you live outside of Chicago, check what other Chicago Tutors are charging so you can compare rates. In the same way, if you live in Texas, check what Austin Tutors, Dallas Tutors and San Antonio Tutors are charging so you can determine the appropriate pay rate in your area.
• Find out how long each session will be, and whether your child is expected to purchase any special supplies -- such as language tapes or workbooks -- that could add to the price of lessons.

4. Also like the above excerpt suggests find out if you will need to purchase any materials prior to the first session.  Supplies are something that if you take the time to find, can be found rather inexpensively. Some sites to look for reasonably priced materials are Amazon, Ebay, Home School Classifieds, Veg Source, The Knowledge Nook, and many more.

5. Finally ask when, where, and how long you will be meeting for? At Tutor Mash Up!, we always advise everyone who makes a connection through our website to meet in a public place such as the library, a local coffee house, or at the local community centers. Public places offer safety precautions for both parties.

These are some pointers to help you select the best tutor for your family! Remember, Tutor Mash Up!, is here to serve you!

You Are A Small Business Now!

Being a tutor has now given you the opportunity to work for yourself. You can set your own hours, pay, location of services, weekly schedule, and can determine who you work with. Essentially you are a small business! Some things to know about running your own Tutoring Business are small business tax laws, forms of payment, and venues that are acceptable.

According to State Law you must report and pay taxes on any income that exceeds $400. This is a link to the Self Employment Laws for the IRS. Self Employed Individual Tax  You may wonder if this will apply to you? It more than likely will and it would be wise to look into it. For this very reason Tutor Mash Up!, advises all tutors and mentors to maintain a log book with receipts and payments made. These can be found easily at your local office supply stores like Office Max . Keeping track of all money made and spent in relation to your business will prove to be valuable when tax season rolls around.

You will also want to be very clear prior to your first meeting with your new student about your fee and forms of acceptable payment. Some tutors will only accept cash while others happily take checks. There are also those that have the attachment scanners on their smart phone so as to accept credit cards. Whichever you choose to accept is fine but be very clear with your clients prior to your first meeting.keeping your client happy with your service the first time they meet you will go a long ways towards building a positive relationship.

Another thing to consider when tutoring is the venue. If you are unfamiliar with your client you should always meet in a public place. Libraries, coffee houses, & community centers are all wonderful places to meet. This is for your protection as much as it is for your client's. Parents and students will feel most comfortable meeting in a neutral & public location. Tutor Mash Up!, wants to always urge our members to always meet in public places! It's best for everyone.

Now that you are beginning your adventure into being self employed the sky is the limit! Update your profile and keep it current. You will want to add a list of references or customer reviews, a current professional looking head shot, and a working resume' of you have one. All of these combined will help you to become a busy tutor!

Profiles

It's profile time! Let's take a deeper look into your profile so that you can begin marketing yourself most effectively. A profile is a snapshot of who you are. It needs to clearly identify who you are in a nutshell for a potential client. There are some basic things you need to do if you want your profile to stand head and shoulders above the rest.

1. A profile should not include an unprofessional picture. In viewing other member forums I have been astonished at the lack of professionalism that is displayed. No parent wants to hire a tutor that looks scary, drugged, disreputable, or unprofessional. At Tutor Mash Up!, we highly recommend that your Avatar be a simple head shot. Our recommendation is also that you use a passport style photo. Why? Simply because it's a professional picture, it allows for your face to be shown clearly, and it will allow your professionalism to shine.

2. The profile should clearly define your areas of expertise. If you list that you are available to tutor everything from math to reading, can also provide mentoring in soccer, and you teach French as a second language your potential clients will be confused. In their confusion they will skip over you and go onto the next meaningful profile. Be clear and concise in your descriptions. Don't over exaggerate your credibility or expertise.

3. List some references or customer reviews along with your profile! Tutors have mainly been obtained by word of mouth.  For example: Sally's daughter has been working with Ms. Lathman after school for several months now. She has been very pleased with the progress she has seen. So when Becky from down the street asks for a tutor Sally refers Ms. Lathman on the spot. Now Ms. Lathman has acquired a new student without even trying! This is how the majority of tutorships occur. However, there are a few problems with this model.  One, maybe Ms. Lathman no longer wishes to acquire new students. Another, is that she is being asked to tutor in fields that she feels are not well suited for her. Thirdly, she is asked for a referral to another tutor and has no one in mind.

Tutor Mash Up!, is the source to help you gain exposure. Allow your profile on our website to help you gain access to new client's. This is a new way to gain positive exposure! Let us begin cataloging a list of references for you. Begin asking your client's to leave a comment or two about their satisfaction with your service. Don't allow yourself to be overlooked simply because your references are not shown.

4. Be flexible in your fees.  Have an appropriate range in mind that you are willing to accept. Think of listing your range right alongside your profile. Another thing to consider would be stating if you are willing to negotiate your fee. In today's tough economy parents want to provide the needed services for their children but simply can't afford it. If you are flexible and are not unfairly priced you will do well!  This is something that your clients will really appreciate.

If followed these profile tips should lend themselves to your success! Tutor Mash Up!, is rooting for you!


Links to helpful articles:

http://smallbusiness.chron.com/tips-writing-business-profile-2847.html

http://www.findgoodtutors.com/articles/advice/profile-tips.html

http://www.articlesbase.com/homeschooling-articles/tips-to-build-a-tutor-profile-you-can-be-proud-of-5919739.html

Marketing Mash Up Style

  Being able to self promote and market yourself plays a large part in being a successful tutor or mentor. This doesn't mean being boastful but rather allowing your skills to shine. Much of the potential market place is untapped. Simply meaning there are parents and students needing help with something, with no where to go.

   If you stop to think about it the source of business for a tutor will never run dry. As long there are students learning, there will be students who are struggling. A good tutor is never without a market place. However, the market place may be without tutors. In the time that I have been a tutor I have been asked time and again who is out there. Parents struggle to know who is reputable, effective, trustworthy, and available.

  If you are a parent you might have wondered yourself from time to time about these questions. Who teaches private piano lessons? Who is out there that teaches sports techniques? Who can I find that specializes in helping my child with reading? These are questions that I hear constantly. The common factor amongst all of them is the lack of information.

 This is where we at Tutor Mash Up! want to help you succeed. Utilize our forum to gain awareness in the market place for what you have to offer. You are already a member and as such have access to many tools to help you begin getting your name into the hands of parents and students. Start a detailed profile, include a picture, list your areas of expertise, and be flexible in your fees. These combined strategies will begin to get you noticed above the rest.



 

Welcome!

  I'm the owner and founder of Tutor Mash Up!  I would love to welcome you to the Tutor Mash Up! family. It is our sincerest wish to help our members become established and empower them for success. If you are only now considering the possibilities that tutoring may offer I want be an encouragement to you. Tutoring and mentoring in my humble opinion can change the world. The power that a one on one relationship between a student and teacher can unlock unlimited potential. A good tutor strives to bring out the best in his or her student; while equipping them with tools for continued success.

  I began tutoring while I was teaching in New Mexico. I was hired in addition to my day job as a 4th Grade teacher to begin tutoring my five lowest achieving students. Not only was I paid for my time as a teacher but I was also paid for my time as a tutor!  For me at that time it was a no-brainer.  I excitedly chose my students, contacted their parents, and we began a journey that has shaped my view on academics to this day. I found a deeper love and joy for teaching. It was exciting to watch my students excel, gain confidence, and  begin finding success that they thought could never be theirs. By the end of the school year each student was no longer at or below grade level. These students were succeeding above grade level at least by one grade if not by two!

 You might be wondering how long each session was and how often we met. Each session was around an hour and half with a twenty minute break out on the recess field, and this only occurred twice a week! Can you imagine or begin dreaming for success like this with your students? Yes, you can!!!

  At Tutor Mash Up! we are going to strive to equip you with the tools and knowledge you need for successful tutoring.  You will be provided with links to articles fitting specific needs, private messaging so that you can converse with other members and bounce ideas off of one another, links to websites that you can utilize, marketing ideas, access to potential clients and much more. Another bonus that we are going to give you will be links and coupons to savings in your area for the things you need and your family can enjoy. After all teachers have to budget and we understand that better than anyone!

 Also at Tutor Mash Up! we will not take a dime out of your pocket for the connections that you make with students and their families. If you compare us to the other tutor websites out there you will quickly find that they require a lot from you when you make a connection.

 Thank you again for becoming a member at Tutor Mash Up! We look forward to serving you.

Sincerely,
Stacy Collier