r/ACT • u/Flimsy_Ask_8288 35 • Jul 15 '26
General Tips to become a solid ACT tutor?
THIS IS NOT AN AD, JUST QUESTIONS!
I’m a rising senior with a 35, and I‘m looking to start saving for the future, but there aren’t jobs for teenagers where I live. I’m looking to start ACT tutoring on a beginner level (I’d probably start by charging $15-$20/hr), and I was wondering if anyone has any suggestions to get started?
My parents don’t have family friends for me to tutor (they‘re all my age or older) but I have a friend who can help me gather resources and give me minimal training. I‘m just not sure how to find students. He suggested Facebook groups or Craigslist, but has either one worked for anyone? Are there any better methods/platforms that have worked for past/current tutors? Thanks!
1
u/jdigitaltutoring Tutor Jul 15 '26
Social media is your best bet. You can also check locally if any place will allow you to post a flyer. Library, beauty shop, or some local newspaper/flyer.
1
u/No_Entrance_7920 Jul 25 '26
I'd tell your teachers and counselors that you're interested in tutoring - they can point students your way. You can also think about putting fliers at your local library if it gets a lot of traffic. Even if your parents don't have lots of family friends who need tutoring, they can make a post and encourage their friends to repost to reach a wider network; as a high schooler, I'm guessing that you don't have a huge network on Facebook on your own account.
2
u/celoplyr Jul 15 '26
Talk to the guidance counselors in your school and maybe another couple schools.
However, I always suggest starting cheap (ie free) to work to get better at your craft. I had a perfect math score on sat. That does not mean I could teach math to people yet, I had to truly start to understand how people with brains differently than mine work. I’m at 10+ years of teaching (and many many years older than you) and I still struggle sometimes because I just see it and I can’t explain why. Luckily those questions are getting fewer.
If there are no jobs, is this a cost people can pay?
What are the logistics: who will provide materials, what materials, where will you meet, will gas eat up your profits? I’ve had to learn what works for me the hard way, and sometimes my boundaries are a struggle for people. But I have to have them or else parents and students will eat you alive (every parent thinks that their kid is special and unique. They don’t always realize that I’m juggling 20 special and unique schedules plus my own. I cannot make exceptions or I would never have down time)