Welcome!
Are You Thinking It’s Time For a Math Tutor?
People tend to associate the term "tutoring" with a struggling student.
This is unfortunate.
Technically, a “tutor” is a person charged with the instruction and guidance of another as:
A. a private teacher
B. a teacher,..who gives individual instruction,...
Please note,
"a struggling student" isn’t mentioned anywhere in the definition of a “tutor.”
When Should You Begin to Look For Math Tutoring?
Do not wait until you, your son, your daughter, your niece, your nephew, your granddaughter, your grandson is struggling before you begin thinking about math tutoring.
Why?
A student who may not appear to be struggling, may indeed be struggling.
And a student who is struggling, may not be struggling because of the current content.
What?
Let’s be honest with ourselves:
- Think about all of the free points in the gradebook that are given for completing homework - even if it is all incorrect.
- Think about all of the participation points
- Think about all of the points given for things that have absolutely nothing to do with math, let alone the current content - like bringing in a box of Kleenex, or Lysol wipes, or hand sanitizer
- Does the grade on the report card truly reflect the mathematical content knowledge?
- Has it?
- Will it ever?
Grades are a number.
At JUST MATH,
We're interested in mathematical content knowledge.
And we're glad you’re here on this webpage!
What Style of Math Tutoring Session Are You Looking For?
Over the past 18 years,
We arrived at the following styles of math tutoring here at JUST MATH:
One on one math tutoring (one to one math tutoring, 1 on 1 math tutoring)
1 on 1 math tutoring is delivered by one teacher (and the same teacher every time) to a single student.
It is beneficial for students who want to work alone, with a single teacher, and do not want any interaction whatsoever with any other students.
What Type of Math Tutor Do You Prefer?
You are in the right place if you are looking for a personal math tutor.
What do we mean by personal?
We care deeply about our students and our families.
We care more about the end game, than we do about the gradebook.
For example,
We will not let students enroll in our Algebra 1 program - and do well - and watch them NOT pass the Keystone Algebra 1 exam at school.
What?
Yes,
Every year we get students who passed Algebra 1 at their school,
But need our Keystone Algebra 1 test preparation program to help them prepare to retake the Keystone Algebra 1 exam at school and pass it (more on that later…there’s a tab to the left dedicated to Keystone Algebra 1).
Another example,
In certain instances,
We may not advise an elementary student to take whatever math class that his/her school is offering him/her as a result of his/her current elementary math grade being ‘high’ or as a result of his/her elementary math standardized test score(s) being ‘high.’
What?
Why?
Think about it:
Do you think that a child who memorized rote facts, and can carry out rote algorithms quicker/better than his peers will continue to meet math with ease when he/she is expected to understand and apply algebraic concepts at a high level?
Do you think that a child who memorized rote facts, and can carry out rote algorithms quicker/better than his peers will continue to meet math with ease when he/she is forced onto the path that leads him/her to AP Calculus?
What?
Yes,
Every year we get incoming 6th grade students who took whatever class that was, that the school placed him/her in as a result of his/her ‘high’ elementary math grade and/or ‘high’ elementary math standardized test scores, only to NOT pass “the test” that would enable him/her to stay the course and get placed into the higher math class for 6th grade.
Mind blowing.
Can you imagine how your son, your daughter, your niece, your nephew, your granddaughter, your grandson feels when he/she does NOT pass “the test” that would enable him/her to stay the course and get placed into the higher math class for 6th grade after having been told he/she was ‘smart’ and after having been in whatever class that was, for all those years in elementary school?
We do.
We’ve seen the tears.
We’ve felt the devastation.
We’ve crafted ‘the program’ to help the student retake “the test” if he/she is intent on staying the course towards AP calculus.
Alternatively,
As soon as whatever that class is, that the school offers up as a result of ‘high’ elementary math grades and/or ‘high’ elementary math standardized scores becomes a topic of conversation,
We discuss our enrichment programs with our families.
What do students do in our enrichment programs?
We teach the student who has ‘high’ math grades and/or ‘high’ standardized test scores more than what is being taught at school at his/her current grade level/course level.
Families love this.
Why?
Because a lot of families believe that schools teach to the middle.
Consequently,
High performing students will always excel,
And low performing students will always struggle.
Many of our families believe that if a student’s grade is so 'high,'
Then,
He/she is clearly capable of learning more...at that grade level.
Many of our families believe that there’s always more that can be taught,
But isn’t,
Because of time and class size restraints at school.
Each year,
We reassess the mathematical ability
and interest(s)
Of our students
Together,
with our families,
We decide which math class is best for the upcoming school year.
You can jump the track (test into a higher math class/level)
Whenever you want.
Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.
Don’t Panic.
We're not crazy at JUST MATH.
Remember,
We may NOT advise a student to take whatever class the school offers him/her as a result of his/her math grade being ‘high’ or as a result of his/her math standardized test score(s) being ‘high’
Why?
Because we look beyond scores.
We consider everything.
DID YOU KNOW:
Only 52% of students who started out as high achievers in mathematics in 3rd grade
Managed to maintain their academic edge through the 8th grade?
To learn more about the 52% of students who started out as high achievers in mathematics in 3rd grade and managed to lose their academic edge by 8thYou’re also in the right place
If you’re looking for a private math tutor/Private mathematics tutor.
We have the teacher that kids often ran/run to,
Instead of his/her guidance counselor.
We have the teacher who treats each student and his/her family
As if he/she/they were our only student/family.
Our student-family-teacher relationship is NOT a transactional one.
(There’s a tab to the left with testimonials).
What Type of Math Tutoring Do You Need?
Math Tutoring Programs
NEXT STEPS:
All prospective students must apply for consideration. All applications go through Melanie Sittler MSEd MBA
Learn more about how we can help you, your son, your daughter, your niece, your nephew, your granddaughter, your grandson gain and maintain mathematical content knowledge with math tutoring.
Engage with JUST MATH on Facebook, LinkedIn & Twitter!