Chemistry Counts: How to Find a Local Tutor Your Kid Actually Clicks With

Let's talk tutors.

You've read the bios. You've checked the degrees. Everyone looks great on paper. So why does one local tutor turn your kid into a little ray of sunshine while another has them screaming at you every time you tell them to get in the van and head to the tutoring center?

I remember a particular child of mine hiding under his bunk bed to avoid his session with his language arts tutor. It wasn't a fun experience, and I truly want to help other parents avoid it.

The reality is that qualifications get tutors hired, but personality fit keeps your kid learning.

I've seen this from both sides: as a mom searching for the right teachers for my own kids, and as a studio owner hiring instructors for our 500-ish students.

Why fit matters so much

Kids learn from people they trust. A tutor your child feels safe with is a tutor they'll ask questions of, make mistakes in front of, and work hard for. As a voice teacher, if my student doesn't feel comfortable saying, "I can't sing this note," then I haven't done my job, or my personality doesn't mesh with that particular student. The same goes for any type of tutor or teacher. And the onus is on US, as instructors, to make adjustments that help your child get comfortable.

Start with your kid, not the local tutor

Before you look at bios or schedule a trial, think about what your child actually needs. Ask yourself:

• Do they need a cheerleader, or a coach who'll hold them accountable?

• Do they warm up slowly, or dive right in?

• Do they learn best with structure, or with a little playfulness?

• What's worked (and totally flopped) with teachers in the past?

There's no wrong answer. A shy kid might blossom with a calm, patient tutor. A bouncy kid might need someone with matching energy, or someone steady enough to help channel it.

Interview like you mean it

Put any learning institution to the test, please (including us). Credentials are the bare minimum. Ask questions that show you how a tutor or teacher thinks:

• "What do you do when a student gets frustrated or shuts down?"

• "How do you celebrate progress?"

• "How do you adjust for a kid who learns differently?"

• "How will you keep me in the loop?"

Listen for answers that are about your kid, not about their résumé. Any teacher who answers your questions with a rundown of THEIR accomplishments probably isn't the tutor for you (and please let me know if that ever happens at my studio).

Book a trial lesson (and watch)

This is important for so many reasons. One session tells you more than any bio ever will. Watch for:

• Does the tutor ask your child questions, and actually listen to the answers?

• Does your kid start talking more as the lesson goes on?

• Is there a laugh or two?

• Does your child leave happier than they walked in?

Red flags: the tutor talks AT your kid the whole time, corrections come without any encouragement, or your normally chatty kid goes quiet.

Ask your kid afterward

Skip "Did you like it?" You'll get a shrug. (#realtalk) Try these instead:

• "What was the best part?"

• "Was anything confusing or awkward?"

• "Do you want to go back?"

That last one tells you a LOT.

Give it time, and know it's okay to switch

First lessons can be a little awkward for everyone. That's why our first lessons are free; no harm, no foul if it isn't the right fit. Once you think you've found a match, give it three or four sessions before you decide. But if it's still not clicking, it's okay to move on and ask for a change. As a studio owner, I promise you: we want your child to thrive, even if it's with someone else. A good tutor won't take it personally. I want the match to be right, and I want to help you get there.

One last thing

The right tutor doesn't just teach the material. They help your kid believe they can do it. That's the magic, and it's worth looking for. It's what I've strived for in my 30 years as a teacher, and it's what I look for in every tutor and teaching artist I hire.

At Tamraloo Studios, we offer four pillars of education: music, dance, theatre, and tutoring. Whether your child needs an academic tutor or a teaching artist who helps them shine on stage, come see us. Your first lesson is free, and we'd love to meet your child and help find the teacher who makes them light up.

- Tamra