A tutor should understand what the student needs from the session. While some students truly need academic help, other students needs help focusing, managing time or dealing with overwhelming tasks. It also is important to teach to the student in his learning style. During the first session, spend time with the student learning how he learns, what distracts him and what activities will be the most beneficial.
A tutor should prepare herself for the lesson before she meets with the student. She should review the material and also come armed with two or three ways to teach the concepts. These strategies should include auditory and visual lessons, as well as kinesthetic activities, or activities that teach through motion and movement.
Before meeting with the student, discuss the goals of the sessions with her parents. The parents will explain what the child's challenges are, if she has any learning disabilities, why they are seeking tutoring and what their goals are for the sessions. This conversation will help prepare the tutor and encourage a successful and professional relationship. The tutor should also keep the parents involved by contacting them once every couple of weeks for a progress update.
Before tutoring begins, the tutor should know how long the session will be, how much she will be paid, when she will be paid and what will happen if sessions are cancelled. For example, if the tutor cancels a session, she should make up the time another day. If the parent cancels a session within 24 hours, she may owe the tutor half the fee. If she cancels with more than 24 hours notice, there will be no fee.