When you take your kids swimming and you see the lifeguard sitting up on the chair watching everyone swim, you automatically assume that lifeguard has been through rigorous training to get certified to save you in an emergency. You don’t usually think twice about the fact that that lifeguard is trained and qualified to perform life-saving procedures if necessary. The same goes for our teachers in our schools. We want them to be trained and certified to teach our children and give them a brighter future.
BUT….
Did you know that not all teachers are certified? In some schools, all you need is a degree to teach our kids.
I know! Imagine how shocked I was to discover that some schools don’t require a teaching certification or licensure. The question is, how does this lack of certification affect student achievement in the classroom and beyond?
A certified (or licensed) teacher is someone who has taken and passed the Praxis exam (a test similar to the SAT or ACT) as well as a background check and has applied for licensure in their city/ state. Published research defines and explains the adverse effects of non-certified teachers on student achievement compared to certified teachers. While I recognize, and have witnessed, many incredible educators who are not yet licensed, traditionally, licensed teachers are more effective in the classroom, yielding higher student achievement results. Research also indicates that these results apply to students who receive special education services. It is proven that students who receive specialized instruction from a certified teacher demonstrate higher academic success than students who receive specialized instruction from a non-certified teacher. If studies show that certified teachers are more effective in the classroom, shouldn’t this concept align with tutor effectiveness as well?
Prior to becoming a teacher, while in college, my passion for education led me to become a tutor. I did not know the mechanics of teaching, but I was familiar with the subject content from when I learned it as a student. In my reflections, I believe because I wasn’t a licensed teacher, I did more of a disservice to those students, despite being highly recommended. When I first started tutoring, I worked with a third-grade student named Jeremy, teaching him multiplication using the standard algorithm. He was excited to learn, but only slightly improved in his grades overall. After becoming licensed to teach, thinking back on my experience with Jeremy, I would have taught the concepts using games, videos, and strategies I had learned in my teacher training, such as using an array. I also recognize that I needed to research the Common Core State Standards so I would know exactly what he needed to know. After receiving my credentials, my tutoring caseload exhibited greater academic growth because I was able to apply my knowledge about how to teach most effectively. Knowing what to teach and knowing how to teach it are two different skills, the latter of which is most beneficial for students.
Throughout my career in education, I have directly witnessed the benefits of individualized tutoring delivered by a certified teacher compared to a college student with a nonexistent or limited background in teaching. These students taught by licensed teachers develop a passion for learning, increase in academic confidence, and improve their grades. Teach Me Tutors seeks to actualize these results in the life of every student by offering individualized, data-driven tutoring. At an affordable price, families can track their child’s academic progress, build a valuable relationship with a trusted tutor, and always be taught by a certified teacher!
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