Where to find a math tutor?

Many kids struggle in math. In fact, for the majority of people the question is more about when rather than if these mathematical struggles will start to occur. Bearing this in mind, it can be good for any parent or student to know where to find a competent tutor when that day comes.

Here are the four main sources for a math tutor:

1. Referrals from students and parents: With all the kids who wind up needing a math tutor by the time they get to high school, it's not too hard to find out who the in-demand tutors are. We're talking, of course, about the tutors who book appointments back-to-back, sometimes have waiting lists, and, most importantly, seem to regularly work miracles helping their pupils master proofs, derivatives, and a myriad of other mathematical challenges. The best way to find these numerical wizards is to simply ask around with students or their parents to see who's been doing the tutoring game awhile. There are likely at least a few of these pros at any given high school or college, and, as many students probably know all too well, a good tutor can sometimes be the difference in a grade.

2. Study labs: Many math teachers offer informal sessions outside of their normal classes where, for all intents and purposes, they function as free ad hoc tutors. For someone uncertain whether or not they can afford a regular tutor, occasional trips to the study lab are a good place to start. Granted, these sessions can be hit-or-miss for the level of personal attention they provide, with popular teachers or those about to give tests sure to attract more students. But on days where the lab is empty, students may receive the care and hands-on attention as good as any tutor.

3. Older students: Often, the best math teacher isn't some seasoned professional charging upwards of $50 an hour. The best tutor around sometimes can be a fellow student, even one who might be just a grade or two ahead and not far past acing the subject matter at hand. It definitely helps to have someone freshly familiar with the material they're teaching. Often times, these students will be hired by their respective schools, especially at the college level, to offer supplemental instruction for struggling students, supplemental courses which are often free to enroll in, not graded, and lightly-attended. And at the high school level, the services of smart students can generally be had for a modest sum.

4. Online: More and more schools and instructional courses can be found online, for any number of different subjects from guitar to computer programming and everything in between. In fact, depending on the geographical area, sometimes the Web offers a wider range of potential tutors than the slim local pickings. In larger areas, this may not be true, with major metropolitan areas a mecca for the affordable academic elite. But in a place like, say, Nanook, the Internet may be the place to start when one opts to look for a tutor.