Teachers who may be willing to do few tutor sessions? (Knoxville: credit, new home)

[KathiOH1]

Does anyone know a teacher that might be willing to do a few tutor sessions with my son. I need a teacher for a middle schooler (probably in English/writing) and one for high school (probably in Chemistry/Math/Science and maybe a bit of Writing). I want the lessons to follow the school's curriculum, not just general material.

We're moving to Maryville in July and I want to be sure my boys are at the same level as other Maryville students. My boys are all identified as gifted but may not have been as challenged by the Kentucky schools. I want them to be able to continue in a gifted program.

My boys love to learn, so these sessions wouldn't be typical... they move rapidly until they find something they don't know.

I also need someone who can work with my incoming 7th grader on trumpet. He has natural talent but the Kentucky school was so behind that he's intimidated by what he heard the 6th graders play when we visited. Would love to have a band teacher who plays trumpet or a college student majoring in music.

[gemkeeper]

KathiO, I wish I was living in Maryville now as I am a certified teacher and love working one on one with students. HOWEVER, we have not yet relocated, but there are possibilities in Maryville that you might want to look into.

There is a Sylvan Learning Center in Maryville. I cannot vouch for them other than to note that they are a respected national tutoring service.

Also, Maryville College is deeply involved with tutoring and mentoring youngsters in the Maryville area and have many talented students who participate. You may want to contact them for all of your children's needs, including music.

There is another tutoring service in Maryville, that once again I do not know personally and cannot endorse, but you can certainly check them out at: A-1 Tutor All Subjects At-Home Tutoring Service: Tutoring Services In Area Code 865.

In the past when my one son required a tutorer, I asked for recommendations directly from the school he was about to enter. They provided me with teachers' names on staff who tutored, plus a couple of local college students that they highly recommended. It worked out beautifully.

It is very difficult for a teacher to tutor his own child because of the dynamics of the mother/child relationship. It was well-worth the money spent to have my son tutored by another talented teacher who was strictly Mrs. Instructor and not Mom.

I hope you find someone that you are happy with. It sounds like your children have a very good head start for a transition to new schools already. Being willing and enthusiastic learners often goes a lot further to educational success than having a private tutor teaching what your child will discover for himself within a nurturing classroom environment.

There is sometimes the need for the private one-on-one, but nothing can top the interchange that takes place within the classroom setting. Students learn much from the comments and ideas passed among themselves in a class while being monitored and directed by a teacher. The learning that nourishes us the most is the learning we discover and take ownership of for ourselves.

[KathiOH1]

Thanks Gemkeeper. You gave me a lot of possibilites and some good advice. I teach writing as a volunteer (love it and don't need income) and was a gifted teacher for my youngest for one year. It was difficult. Thank goodness he had a passion for writing and put up with me being his mom.

I'll check out the centers you suggested, but I suspect what we need is a short-term teacher in our home (or theirs). They tend to learn quite unconventionally... reviewing the material alone, summarizing to the tutor to be sure they're on the mark, and then stopping where they aren't clear just long enough to have it explained. My middle son took a refresher course in Algebra I in preparation for taking a virtual Geometry class. It took one hour. When my older son realized I wouldn't make them take weekly lessons, he asked for a tutor and reviewed Algebra II in two. I know my boys would be difficult to teach in a group setting, but one-on-one would really benefit them. After 3 years in Kentucky school system, I suspect they'll need 3-5 hrs of help to cover all the subjects.

[gemkeeper]

If that is all you think they will need to be certain in their minds that they are up to speed, you may want to check with each of their schools first. That might be the simplest and most effective route to take.

I'm happy to meet another reading and writing teacher, KathiOH1. My passion is to have all children and adults able to read with some joy behind it. I have worked primarily with disadvantaged and language challenged young people, but would like to find an outlet for my urge to teach non-reading adults once we are relocated. What a gift for me that would be.

I hope that you and the children enjoy the new home and schools. It is a lovely part of the country to raise children with some of the nicest people you could ever wish to meet.

Keep us informed on your progress. It will be nice to know how you are doing and you may help someone else in the process.

[Beretta]

Kathi - I wanted to put your mind at ease. I am a Mom in the Maryville City Schools.

My son also played trumpet. The band directors at the schools, Mr Hayden at the intermediate, Mr Brown at the middle make sure that all kids in band get off on the right foot. My son was able to take trumpet lessons at a convenient location (for us that was the intermediate school in George Hayden's classroom) while he was in high school. The teachers will help you with this; names, numbers, etc. Personal note: Mr Brown is the younger brother of a girl that I was in band with and I remember thinking what a cute little boy he was back then! LOL Also, Hayden, as the kids call him, also helps out with the high school band shows, trips, camp, etc. So, these teachers are really involved in the band experience beginning to end.

As far as your kids in the MCS, they will do fine. When kids need extra help or tutoring the teachers ALWAYS either come in early or stay late to help the kids. As with any school, some teachers are better than others but your children will be just fine I am confident. The teachers will work hard to make sure that your kids are at their best. I could tell you a lot of personal stories about this but just know that almost all teachers here in Maryville truly take a personal interest in your child and they truly do everything they can to help your child reach their personal best. The guidance counselors are outstanding and they are of great assistance, if needed.

If you have any questions let me know.

[KathiOH1]

That is nice to hear. I toured the schools with my boys and they were very impressed with the schools. I'm sure the teachers will be very willing to help my boys once school starts, but the boys want to be ready for entrance testing so they get put in the gifted classes. I know I probably sound like one of those moms that pushes her kids, but my boys truly love to learn (they get it from their dad who has more letters AFTER his name than IN IT).

Sounds like we need to meet when I get settled. I'd like to know some other parents. Don't be surprised if I send you (and some of the others on this forum) a private message when I get moved in early July. I'm a preacher's kid, so I'm not shy.

[Beretta]

Originally Posted by KathiOH1

That is nice to hear. I toured the schools with my boys and they were very impressed with the schools. I'm sure the teachers will be very willing to help my boys once school starts, but the boys want to be ready for entrance testing so they get put in the gifted classes. I know I probably sound like one of those moms that pushes her kids, but my boys truly love to learn (they get it from their dad who has more letters AFTER his name than IN IT).

Sounds like we need to meet when I get settled. I'd like to know some other parents. Don't be surprised if I send you (and some of the others on this forum) a private message when I get moved in early July. I'm a preacher's kid, so I'm not shy.

Kathi, sorry that I am just now responding to this. I have had lots going on and didn't mean to be rude. Feel free to contact me at anytime. Your children sound bright and I am confident that they will do well on the gifted placement tests. My children also tested gifted and we're just regular folk. We did trial and error on AP classes. Some classes they stayed in and others they went back to mainstream. A lot depended on the teachers, etc. MHS is great also in that there are tons of opportunities for kids not in the gifted program; there's a little bit of everything for everybody. My son graduated MHS last year with 12 college credits in place!

What neighborhood are you buying in? We are in West Maryville near Cross Creek and Wimbledon. Why are you moving here? A job transfer?

How exciting!

[KathiOH1]

Hey Gal,

I'm so glad to hear from you... are you a teacher or just a parent? I'm desperately looking for other parents to connect with and learn about the school system.

My husband has taken a job in Knoxville. He is leaving hospital admin to become a consultant. We have an accepted offer on a home on Montvale... don't know where that is in relationship to you. Haven't learned the area that well yet.

I would love feedback from you or anyone else regarding the AP program. My kids have always been high achievers, but I'm so unsure about what to expect from the advanced classes. We close on the house end of month and then I'll be more settled. I'm open to meeting moms and teachers. I volunteer the gifted here in KY... creative writing workshops.

Kathi

[gemkeeper]

Hi, KathiOH. You and SMG do have a lot in common.

I had found with my own children, although not educated in TN but in Michigan, that they could pretty much tell for themselves by high school age which AP classes were right for them and which they preferred to pass on.

Youngsters that age are pretty savvy about various teachers' personalities, quirks, expectations and talents and many of the kids' decisions on their classes were based on which teacher was instructing it. They instinctively knew which ones were going to be a waste of their time and which ones they would enjoy as an enriching challenge.

Even with your children being new to the district, they will be involved in so many activities and exposed to so many other talented students, that they will learn pretty quickly which classes and teachers other students admire and relish, and which to avoid. Sometimes, an enrichment class or advanced placement class, if not taught by just the right instuctor, will not benefit the student as much as the mainstream equivalent.

SMG can probably give you a lot of insight on which teachers and classes her boys found the most valuable.

My second son decided in 11th grade that after 10 years in gifted programs, he wanted to mainstream and just take AP classes that interested him. He was already working for a computer department at Univ. of MI, and wanted to take classes in H.S. that simply interested and challenged him. He no longer felt the need to be in the gifted program at our local high school to reach his goal. Very wise decision for a 16 yr. old, I think.

It sounds like your children probably possess the same type of intuition about their own abilities and talents.

[KathiOH1]

Gemkeeper,

Where in Michigan are you from? I lived in Jackson (just outside of Ann Arbor). Schools there were wonderful.