Why Do Some Students Need Tutors?
By patgalca
@patgalca (18181)
Orangeville, Ontario
November 6, 2016 11:26pm CST
My daughter is in her third year of a five year university program to become a phys.ed. teacher. She Facetimed me the other night and we chatted for an hour. She likes to bring up stuff she is learning in school, which I think is great because that means she is actually learning and is finding the content interesting. She said the professor posed this question: [b][/b]Is the need for a tutor for a student a result of a poor education system?
Think about it. I had varying points that I made. I felt that tutors were for students who were, perhaps, a little on the slow side. Or for students whose parents insist on them getting A's. I was content with my daughters getting C's and overjoyed when they got anything higher than that (because I lived in the C region, and lower, when I was in grade and high school).
But then I went into a different train of thought because I have heard my daughters complain about lousy teachers. I also experienced a French teacher in high school who resulted in my getting marks in the 70's, the following year I got another French teacher and my first mark was a 48%. There are teachers who are not passionate about their jobs and therefore are not good teachers. So we could blame the school system for hiring such teachers.
My daughter said the professor asked the students why they wanted to become teachers. A lot of them said because their parents were teachers and they wanted to keep the legacy alive in the family. That may not result in a good teacher.
So what do you think? Have any of you needed to hire a tutor for yourself or your child? Why did you think you needed to do that?
6 people like this
4 responses
@beaniefanatic13 (5076)
• Grand Junction, Colorado
7 Nov 16
I think the biggest problem faced by teachers, is the government, which affects our kids. Teachers have to adhere to a strict schedule of teaching so that they cover the things that will be on the state test. The teachers now teach to this test. Since the name has changed and I think it may have different names depending on the state you live in, not sure what the test is called. The children take these test, March through April, depending on grade they take tests for Math, Science and ELA and Social Studies. If part of the class is hung up on a particular part, the teacher doesn't have time to work on a concept, she must stay on schedule to get through the curriculum.
We as parents are failing our children by standing back and not taking a stand against the governments influence. Teachers need to be allowed to teach our children. I have been very outspoken with my youngster's teachers. The test that the children take are to grade the school and the teacher, to see how well they are doing. That doesn't benefit our children, the schools and teachers are now so focused on trying to get the students to pass this test, that they no longer care about the students. It's now about them and politics. Teachers loose their jobs over these tests. Many factors go into these test results, simply saying that a child either passed or failed isn't an adequate result. Many parents are signing waivers to not have their children take these tests. I think more parents need to opt-out. Learning should be about the children, not the school, not the teacher, and politics shouldn't be governing our school. Teachers need to be allowed to teach.
My answer to why some children need tutoring, the majority don't. It's all because teachers aren't allowed to do what they love and that's teach from the heart. Now I'm not saying that all teachers are good and positive, they aren't, but the majority went into this field because they felt that they had a calling, a gift, that they could make a difference. It has been taken from them.
This of course is my personal opinion. Sorry if it seemed that I went off topic, but I felt to give a correct answer I had to give some background information
@beaniefanatic13 (5076)
• Grand Junction, Colorado
7 Nov 16
@patgalca, I tell my youngest that to try her best but the test isn't about her. She has asked me to opt-her out, but I haven't as I do feel it's good practice for her.
My eldest daughter was going to school to be a teacher, and I believe she would have made a great teacher. That is on hold. Her and her husband had a baby and they have decided that she will stay home and for now. While I wish she had been able to complete her schooling, I'm glad they are in a position for her to stay home and have those early years as a parent.
It is very sad that they were doing it, in my opinion, for the wrong reasons. Teachers aren't paid what they are worth. A good teacher is priceless.
My daughter has a couple of teachers that make themselves available after class a couple days a week. Also at lunch.
When I was growing up, many years ago, kids didn't go to tutors. Only a few kids seemed to have difficulties. Nothing like today. Again, I believe it's because teachers are not in control.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (325818)
• Rockingham, Australia
7 Nov 16
One of our boys had a tutor for a few months. He needed a certain mark to get into the course he wanted to do at Uni. He was studying hard but seemed to need a bit of extra help just in one subject. We were happy that it enabled him to get where he wanted to go.
1 person likes this
@Inlemay (17714)
• South Africa
7 Nov 16
some children need tutors because the teacher of the subject does not stimulate their specific mind, so when looking for a tutor, you need to find one that will relate to the child. I tutor languages and Accountancy and I have taken a mediocre student with "D" to B+ in one semester just by making the education relevant and interesting. Both my girls are teachers and they are very OUT of the BOX characters - They both needed tutoring in their younger days to get the right marks
