I get this question a lot, and the answer, of course, depends on the tutor!

Anyone can call herself a tutor, and for that matter there is nothing to stop anyone from calling herself an educational therapist, either. This means that the buyer must beware and first ask hard questions about qualifications. Mine include:

• Graduated summa cum laude from Boston University’s School of Education with the highest grade point average in my class
• Went on to Teachers College at Columbia University and earned a Master of Arts in Teaching
• Taught for 10 years in both public and private schools in New York City and Hartford, CT and was also in charge of teacher professional development for most of those years
• Earned a post-masters certificate in Educational Therapy
• Obtained supervision from two nationally respected educational therapists
• Underwent the rigorous board certification process of the Association of Educational Therapists, the only professional organization for our profession
• Continue to be a member in good standing of the Association of Educational Therapists, including meeting the organization’s continuing education requirements, and presented at our National Conference in 2012
• Have been in full-time private practice since 2006
• Parent to 4 boys in a blended family; our sons have taught me that no two kids learn or can be parented in the same way

But ultimately, what makes me better than your average tutor is quite simply that I’m very good at what I do. Teaching is a craft that needs to be honed and a profession that requires a great knowledge base, but it is also a talent, which you either have or you don’t. I was made to do this job, and I take pride in doing it well. If I can’t do it well for your child and your family, then I won’t keep taking your money or wasting your time.