Ask yourself several questions before deciding the type of tutor you need. The first thing you need to do is to find out if your child has a learning disability. The school can test for this if you don't know. A learning disabled child may need a specially trained tutor, but often a creative teenager can achieve the same results, particularly in the one-on-one setting. One interesting possibility is to use a learning disabled tutor who has mastered the skills needed to succeed. Someone who has been there can offer insights, encouragement and role-modeling that no one else can. If your teen has serious disabilities, consider using someone with the same disability or someone with disabled family members, who also has special insights into the special needs of the student.
How well-behaved is your teen? Will he work cooperatively with the tutor, or is he going to fight or whine? The less cooperative he is, the more experienced your tutor must be. Less disciplined students also need stricter tutors. A teen who is motivated and disciplined will work well with a less experienced, but enthusiastic tutor.
What is your teen's personality? A teenager with a high need for attention may need a tutor who is cheerful and who takes a personal interest in the student. A shy teen might be overwhelmed by someone who is too enthusiastic and outgoing. A student who challenges needs a confident tutor who won't take the challenges personally and who won't give in when he shouldn't.
When interviewing tutors, ask them to present recommendations from teachers, counselors and other adults who have worked with them. If they have tutored in the past, talk to the families. Find out if they came prepared, showed up on time and regularly, and if they related well to their students. Did
