Tutor Talk: Why a Classroom Teacher Is the Best Choice for Tutoring
Choosing a tutor can feel like a high-stakes decision for families, and with so many options it’s not always clear what truly makes the difference. In this Tutor Talk post,
Director of Tutoring Dickson Benesh explains why classroom teachers bring unmatched insight, structure, and long-term impact to tutoring, and how their experience translates into deeper understanding and lasting student confidence.
When parents begin searching for a tutor, the options can feel overwhelming. College students, test-prep centers, online platforms, and subject “experts” all promise results. But one option consistently rises above the rest: working with a current or former classroom teacher.
Here’s why choosing a classroom teacher for tutoring makes a real difference (and often leads to better, longer-lasting academic success).
1. Classroom Teachers Know How Students Actually Learn.
Classroom teachers don’t just know the subject; they understand how students struggle with it. They see the same misconceptions year after year and know exactly where understanding tends to break down.
Because of this experience, teachers can:
Anticipate common errors before they happen
Explain concepts in multiple ways
Adjust pacing based on student cues
This level of insight can’t be learned from a textbook or a brief training session; it is built through years of instruction. Teaching is often as much art as it is science.
2. They Understand the Curriculum.
Classroom teachers are deeply familiar with course-level expectations and how skills build from one year to the next. They know both what a student should understand now and what they’ll be expected to know later.
Teachers often say it isn’t until their second year teaching a course that they truly master the content. After many years of teaching (nearly 30 for me!), that understanding only deepens, allowing lessons to be delivered at exactly the right level for students.
This means tutoring isn’t just about “getting through homework.” It focuses on:
Filling foundational gaps
Preparing students for upcoming assessments and standardized tests
Aligning tutoring with what is actually happening in the classroom
That alignment is critical for both confidence and long-term success.
3. Teachers Are Assessment Experts.
One of a teacher’s most valuable skills is diagnosis. Classroom teachers can quickly determine:
Whether an error is conceptual or procedural
If a student is guessing, memorizing, or truly understanding
When instruction needs to rewind—or accelerate
Rather than spending time on material a student already knows, teachers target what will make the greatest impact. This efficiency makes tutoring far more effective.
4. Classroom Teachers Manage Time, Focus, and Motivation.
Effective tutoring isn’t just about content, it’s about engagement. Classroom teachers excel at:
Keeping students focused
Explaining expectations clearly
Encouraging productive struggle without frustration
They know how to build trust while still holding students accountable. That balance often leads to stronger work habits, not just better grades.
5. Teachers Teach for Independence, Not Dependence.
A strong teacher-tutor does not aim to be needed forever. Instead, the goal is to help students:
Develop problem-solving strategies
Ask better questions
Gain confidence working independently
Rather than simply giving answers, teachers emphasize thinking, structure, and process, which are skills that transfer to every subject. Ultimately, they help create lifelong learners.
6. They Communicate Clearly with Parents and Students.
Because communication is central to teaching, classroom teachers are skilled at clearly explaining:
Where a student is improving
What still needs attention
How parents can support learning at home
This transparency keeps everyone aligned and ensures tutoring remains focused and purposeful.
7. Real Teaching Experience Builds Real Confidence.
Students often feel more confident knowing they are working with “an actual teacher.” There is an immediate sense of structure and credibility that helps students trust the process and engage more fully.
That confidence matters. When students believe in the person guiding them, they are more willing to ask questions, participate, and take academic risks.
Final Thoughts
Tutoring works best when it is an extension of great teaching. Classroom teachers bring experience, insight, structure, and empathy that few other tutors can match. They don’t just help students complete assignments: They help them understand, grow, and succeed.
If you’re investing in tutoring, choosing a classroom teacher is one of the smartest decisions you can make. At College Solutions, we proudly hire only classroom teachers to provide our tutoring services. Please contact us if you’d like to learn more!
Tutoring & Test Prep
Want more personalized advice from our team? As part of our full-service approach to college advising, College Solutions offers tutoring and SAT/ACT prep as an add-on to our counseling packages for 10th, 11th, and 12th graders. In collaboration with our knowledgeable counselors, our expert tutors create personalized learning plans for math, English, and/or standardized testing prep that align with students’ goals for college admissions and beyond.