Owens, a graduate from U.C. San Diego, with the main goal to help students succeed in their tougher subjects and also to help make more accessible the tools and confidence a student already has started building within themselves (thanks to the help of their teachers, parents, and peers). TutorTime believes that each student is as smart as everyone else (seriously!), but due to student:teacher ratios, limited time in the classroom for each subject, and the need to juggle “life”, this can often become unclear to students and may add an unnecessary layer of negativity into the learning environment. This may result in an unpleasant classroom learning experience for students, that, if left unclarified, may not leave clear to each student what is being taught, what is necessary to remember for the “test”, and what is necessary to achieve in life (plus how to use it in each situation). TutorTime uses a low tutor to student ratio that allows each session to be tailored to each student’s specific learning style and ensures that whatever “gaps” a student has missed in school will be “filled-in” within a few sessions. Tutors will connect subject material to past lessons in order to show how the course is progressing over the course of a semester while also connecting it to each student’s individual interests. This unique, Tutor Time formula engages students at a direct level, increasing subject retention and student interest. Plus flexible scheduling available through TutorTime allows students to optimize their sessions to be either in-person (whether at your house or a nearby starbucks/library), virtual, one-on-one, in small groups of students (assumed similar level of subject material), weekly appointments, drop-ins, and everything in between, all while being able to schedule in all the “life” that a young person can stomach, without worrying about missing sessions (or incurring cancelation/late fees). TutorTime LLC., subcontracts tutor positions to local community college students, like College of the Desert, who are already attaining degrees in subjects that students request assistance with, or other persons who may be pursuing professional accreditation tests (such as MCAT, Bar Exam, Professional Geologist Exam, etc..) and prefer to work in an environment that reinforces the basic principles needed to pass these test. Using knowledgeable, energetic, and enthusiastic tutors creates a more positive learning environment, and a more positive learning environment leads to a more confident and better informed student. TutorTime also proudly gives 80% of its fee from each session to the tutor (5% more than other Tutoring Services!), ensuring a fair wage (almost twice the current minimum wage) and high tutor satisfaction/retention. The remainder of each session’s fee goes to admin/operational overhead to maintain the LLC and business license, thus ensuring a professional business environment. Tutor Time, LLC. staff pride themselves in providing a personal touch to tutoring services and not just a one-size-fits approach found in most afterschool programs with higher student:tutor ratios. The Founder and staff at Tutor Time constantly reflect on what is working and what is not while requesting feedback from students and parents (and sometimes even the teachers!) Our tutors, parents, and students form a pyramid of stability and communication during the learning process that help to prop up our students to new levels. So, now that a new school year is ahead of us, I say, “Iiiiiitttttt’s Tuttttooor Tiiiiiiimmme!!!”
About Zak Owens
Zakary J. Owens graduated in 2016 from U.C. San Diego with a Bachelors in Sciences in Geophysics. Zak is a “Navy Brat” who grew up traveling the world with his Mom while visiting his Dad. While born in the states, Zak (and family) quickly moved to Japan where he spent the first seven years of his life enjoying being the odd one out (red hair isn't very common over there) and also going to the Japanese based Kumon program, an afterschool tutoring group heavily focused in Math. After learning long division well before the first grade, Zak was destined for a career in the sciences because Math “just came easily” to him, “so why not?”. With a 4.47 GPA out of highschool and 8 AP classes under his belt, he would soon learn that College was a whole other level of trouble. After a few reality checks (both in the classroom and out), Zak had his feet under him again and successfully completed the entire honors sequence of physics , the entire scientific majors math series, and the entire general and organics chemistry series. Zak also had a heavy general education requirement in the humanities (aka reading books and writing essays) thanks to the Revelle College (the original college within UC San Diego which added the “most” GE requirements to a student’s major requirements). Zak now holds a title of Geologist-in-Training (a legal title given after passing a competency exam) and is eagerly anticipating an additional test this Fall where he recently obtained his Professional Geologist certification (another legal title..). Zak is also chasing a certification in Fluvial Geomorphology and natural stream channel design/restoration. He has always felt an ability to connect with people (probably because he just loves to learn about almost anything, and gosh can he talk…), and has always contemplated being a teacher. Zak has used this ability many times to help students learn that the sciences are closer to us all than they may appear and if you aren’t careful, he may give you the science bug before you know it! (PS rocks rock, if you want to learn what a Geologist does, ask me!)
Tutor Expectations
Check-In Weekly with the Students for subject material and weekly schedule (for regularly scheduled sessions)
Know the Student's Material before each session
Make a Study Sheet for each session. This will build into the final study sheet by the end of the year, it may save
the Students time when they ask for a final review
Lesson Material is Normally Cumulative, If Tutors do not know something during the lesson, it’s the Tutors job to learn it before next one
Everyone has a different learning style. Check-in occasionally to make sure the Students are happy with how things are, ask if they have suggestions on how to make the lessons more efficient/effective (remember the learning styles are auditory, visual, kinetic/doing, and read/write),
Tutors are There to Teach, not to give them the answers, and not to socialize (too much), but they also need to be able to accurately gauge a Student's energy level, attention span, etc.. This changes each session; Tutors need to lead Students appropriately. If a Student wants to talk for a minute or so between problems, that’s okay if it’s a slow day, but if you need to get work done, save the socializing for the end of the session. If a Student is consistently losing energy by the end of the session, suggest a different time or a snack break
Students Live Busy Lives (and so do the Tutors) and their schedules may change, if you cannot accommodate a schedule change, check in with Tutor Time ASAP (5308595515, cell) to find a temporary replacement
Sometimes In-Person is Better even though virtual is more convenient, it is often quicker and more effective to have an occasion in-person session (depending on distance of travel)
Group Sessions Will Typically Be Slower than one-on-one sessions, plan accordingly. Student Expectations
Check-In Weekly with your Tutor to update them with new subject material and your schedule
Try and Stay Organized, your Tutor should be making study sheets for each lesson (ask for them). These will become the midterm/final study guides, so try not to lose them! This usually means getting a binder or folder
It’s okay to not get 100% (or even an A) the first time, what's important is learning the material and improving your confidence and ability to recognize what the question is asking
Everyone has a different learning style. Check-in occasionally with your Tutor to make sure that you are learning comfortably, tell your tutor if you have suggestions to make the lessons more efficient/effective, or if you aren’t sure how, but still want the lessons to be a little different than how they are currently going. Its our job to figure out how to teach to your learning style, and not vice versa
Lesson Material is Normally Cumulative, it’s important to try and see the larger stepping stones in between lessons, try not to get too bogged down in the materials, especially if you haven’t mastered it yet! If you can see how one week’s lesson related to the last week, its easier to keep them organized in your head! You are there to learn, not to copy the answers, and not to socialize (too much)
Students Live Busy Lives (and so do the Tutors) and your schedules may change, if you cannot accommodate a schedule change, check in with your assigned tutor. If you cannot get ahold of your assigned tutor, please contact Tutor Time ASAP (5308595515, cell) to find a temporary replacement
Sometimes In-Person is Better even though virtual is more convenient
Group Sessions Will Typically Be Slower than one-on-one sessions, plan accordingly
Tutor Time Fee Schedule*
Private Sessions - $25/ hour ($20 to tutor and $5 to company)
Group Sessions:
2 students - $20 / hour / student ($32 to tutor and $8 to company)
3 students $17 /hour / student ($40.80 to tutor and $9.20 to company)
4 students $15 / hour /student ($48 to tutor and $12 to company)
*tutors are subcontracted to local community college students for 80% of the fee schedule (almost twice the minimum wage and 5% more than other Tutoring Services), the remainder goes towards maintaining the LLC, and a small administrative fee. NO WARRANTIES
The Tutor makes no promises or warranties with regards to a Student's performance as a result of any tutoring provided.
