Family Help Wanted

Help Wanted

Finding the right tutor for your student is not a one-size-fits all endeavor

BY DELANEY AKRIDGE

Arecent report found that more than 350,000 people who call themselves “tutors” are currently teaching students across the country and, by 2026, the private tutoring industry is estimated to generate a whopping $200 billion in revenue. Any way you measure it, that’s a lot of students and teachers. However, if you thought that hundreds of thousands of tutors meant student test scores were greatly improving, you’d be wrong.

The American College Testing (ACT) reports that the average composite score for the class of 2022 is the lowest it’s been in 30 years. “This is the fifth consecutive year of declines in average scores, a worrisome trend that began long before the disruption of the COVID-19 pandemic, and has persisted,” says ACT CEO Janet Godwin.

So, if your child is lost in a maze of verb conjugations, or struggling with stoichiometry, you may be scratching your head and thinking, “what now?” If that’s the case, be aware you are not alone. And help is available—if you know where and how to look. Because while there is no shortage of available tutors, they aren’t all masters of their craft. Some will tout prestigious degrees and impressive academic prowess, but they may not be the right fit for your child for a variety of reasons. Depending on your child’s needs, there are a few things to be looking out for when searching for the right tutor.

A good tutor will understand your child’s academic shortcomings. A great tutor can anticipate them. Being able to work through frustrations with a student is a vital part of any tutor’s job. Many students feel lost when they venture into unfamiliar concepts and they ...continued on pg 42

Christmas in the Cathedral District 5 pm to 9 pm

Newnan and Church Street, Downtown Jacksonville Tickets on sale now for a Special Christmas Light show with live music inside First United Methodist Church, Tours of 5 Historic Churches, Holiday Market with over 20 vendors, food trucks, Family Friendly activities including petting zoo, & the unveiling of our new Public Art Piece.

Sponsored in part by the State of Florida, Department of State, Division of Arts and Culture, the Florida Council on Arts and Culture, and the National Endowment for the Arts.

Joan & Russell Newton, Jr.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS

’Tis the season for family-friendly events across the First Coast

The book The Polar Express is a classic, and the story made into a computer-animated movie in 2004. The Florida Theatre hosts a screening of the film Sunday, December 18, inside the historic 1,900-seat auditorium. Doors open at 12:30 for ornament crafting and milk and cookies with Santa. The house lights dim at 2 PM. Admission is free for every adult and child with the gift of one canned or nonperishable food item, but the more the merrier. Canned fruits, vegetables and soups, as well as boxed items like macaroni and cheese are encouraged. All food donations will benefit Feeding Northeast Florida, helping serve local children, families, seniors, and military members this season. So, go enjoy a good family film and do a good deed at the same time.

Following a two-year absence because of Covid-19, the Mandarin Museum and the Walter Jones Historical Park once again host the Mandarin Winter Celebration, an afternoon of seasonal activities laced throughout the St. Johns riverfront site. On December 3, visitors can expect live music, historical reenactors, food trucks, arts and crafts, kids’ games, plein aire painters and appearances by Mr. and Mrs. Claus. The museum gift shop is stocked with holiday gifts, as well as books and art prints on sale by local authors and artists. Also, this is the only place anywhere to buy Mandarin history ornaments, the “historic places” blanket, and the special Mandarin Frogs and Sea Turtles. Hours are 11 AM-4 PM. Also, the park’s historical buildings, a collection of four structures dating to the late 1800s, will be open for exploring. Admission is free, but the train rides and s’mores do require a donation to support the museum and historical park. Also, guests are asked to bring canned food items to be donated to the Mandarin Presbyterian Church’s food pantry.

need someone who can help navigate through them and lead to the correct solutions. Also, while online tutoring is acceptable in most cases, for students who need more than just academic support, in-person tutoring may be the better option. There may be personality issues that an online tutor won’t be able to pick up on or remedy. Understanding exactly what the student needs is the first step to success.

Holding advanced degrees is standard for tutors, especially for those instructing high school and college students. But be mindful that a degree doesn’t mean a person has strong teaching experience and the interpersonal skills to work with students. Just like when hiring any service provider that will be interacting with family members—babysitter, house cleaner, caterer, among many other professions—getting referrals from friends and family is usually a place to start the search. While credentials are important, one’s years of experience with tutoring is often a good measure of past students’ success. A tutor having a PhD. or other higher degree can show their level of education, but it doesn’t necessarily mean that they can translate knowledge in bites that a student can digest.

Naturally, a wide spectrum of tutors will offer a wide spectrum of pricing. Accreditation, experience, results, and the amount of time needed with your child all have an impact on the out-of-pocket expenses. Many tutoring firms charge a flat rate based on how long you’ll be using their services. Some private tutors will charge up to $150 an hour and even claim to guarantee entrance into top universities. In Jacksonville, the average cost of an online tutor is about $25 an hour.

Online tutoring options are near endless. Before Googling, check if your child’s school offers an after-school program. Avoid broad searches online and instead, learn from others about their experiences. Consult with friends and family and see if they can point you in the right direction. Many tutors rely on word of mouth to attract more clients.

Finding a suitable tutor doesn’t have to be hard, but it will require some effort. Be sure that everyone is on the same page about the end-goal. Communicate your expectations and express your concerns. Together, you can come up with a personalized learning plan that will work for everyone. Ultimately, the right tutor will be the one that connects with your child and meets all of their needs. u

Don’t Worry, Be Happy

It’s not news to say that the Holiday season is time of heightened emotions. While joy, fond memories and fun with loved ones is what we all wish for during this time of year, for some it’s difficult to not feel stressed and anxious. The Children’s Home Society of Florida offers a few essential tips on how to take care of oneself and prioritize wellbeing.

Practice healthy habits. Maintaining a consistent sleep schedule and eating nutritious foods like fruits, nuts and protein will help provide energy to tackle the day.

Decrease caffeine and sub-

stance use. Increased alcohol and substance use often appear around the holidays, but studies show nicotine, caffeine and alcohol can provoke feelings of depression, anxiety and other mental health challenges.

Dedicate time to positive activ-

ities. Activities like taking a walk, listening to a favorite song or journaling can help regulate emotions and improve overall well-being.

Maintain boundaries with oth-

ers. Reducing extra activities or tasks and decreasing your risk of feeling overloaded can greatly improve your mental health.

Spend time with loved ones. No added explanation needed here. u