More about WyzAnt

Today's Quote:

Reality is the leading cause of STRESS.

Recently I discovered the tutoring website WyzAnt.com. I called them tutoring pimps in an earlier blog because they find people who need extra help and match them up with qualified tutors. The company initially keeps 40% of the rate charged but tutors can increase their percentage as they log in more hours. I signed up to be a tutor and they accepted me right away. I think that it will be worth the charge to not have to figure out how to find tutees on my own.

At first I was intimidated because I have been teaching elementary age students and the bulk of requests were for high schoolers in higher math and physics, or for high schoolers looking for someone to help them prepare for their SATs and other college entrance exams. I did not realize there was such a demand for that type of tutoring and think I will look into refreshing my knowledge.

Within a week, requests for tutors for elementary and middle school students began popping up. Parents wanting their child to stay ahead of the curve or wanting extra help for subjects that students are already struggling with now, at the beginning of the school year, are smart to get help with the fundamental knowledge that the rest of the term will build upon.

I am ready, willing, and able to help any elementary or middle school students who are within a 10-15 mile radius of Rancho Cucamonga but so far, what is holding me back is the fact that the parents or grandparents need to set up financial arrangements with WyzAnt first, because the tutors get paid through the service, not by the individuals requesting the service. If you are one of those parents and you are hesitating because of the hourly rate, recognize that the rate is negotiable. I already had to rethink the rate for a woman who asked about group sessions, and am now just hoping that she will agree to the change. I like to teach, I'm excited about this opportunity, and I need the money. I will keep you posted about how the first job goes.

Tutoring Pimps

September 1, 2011

Today's Quote:

Falling is the first step to learning how to fly. ~ Jodi Picoult

And just for fun, an inspired Hinky Pinky:

What do you call a movie that is all about an educator? A Teacher Feature

FYI - A Hink Pink is a rhyming word game involving riddles. If the answer to the riddle has 2 one-syllable rhyming words, it is a Hink Pink; a Hinky Pinky is an answer with 2 two-syllable rhyming words; and, a Hinkety Pinkety is an answer to a riddle with 2 three-syllable rhyming words.

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I was inspired to create that riddle above after I applied online for WyzAnt tutoring, teaching and coaching site. Hink Pinks, etc. were always a big hit in the classroom for students of all ages, or at least through the 6th grade. I really like to play word games with students as a way to increase vocabulary, promote problem solving, and just have fun. Students get excited about creating their own riddles.

WyzAnt says that they supply the tutoring students and take a percentage of your earnings as a finders fee, you know, like a pimp. I just went to get the web address and it came up with a long thread of posts bad and good. So now, I'm not sure if this is going to be a good idea or not, but I did do the online application and took one test in my best subject, spelling, which I easily passed. Maybe someone out there has had an experience with this company and can give me a heads up, or maybe you just want to check it out:  http://www.wyzant.com/. I hope it is not a scam. But if it is, and you need a tutor in the Rancho Cucamonga area, you can contact me directly through this blog and we can skip the WyzAnt site completely. I earned an elementary teaching credential in 3 states but I landed in California at the height of teacher lay-offs.

The reason I even got to WyzAnt was because I decided to do my job search at all of the cities within a 10 mile radius of my home. One of the cities led me to a Tutor Wanted post via simplyhired.com. I went through the list and interestingly, there was a list of 12 cities and 1 community. It sure seems like a lot of political divisions in such a small radius. If you are interested in the list, here it is:

     Rancho Cucamonga

     Alta Loma

     Cucamonga

     Upland

     Guasti

     Etiwanda

     Ontario

     Montclair

     Claremont

     Chino

     Fontana

     La Verne

     Pomona

Etiwanda is the place designated as a community. Guasti shows a population of 3. Upland and Claremont have no current openings and Fontana, Montclair, and Chino only have part-time openings. I take that back, some of the cities are looking for a "Lateral Police Officer."Since that is not my field, I did not really check those positions out.

Even though I do not have a library science degree, I am interested in applying at the local libraries next because I LOVE books, learning, research, compiling information, and writing.

No Pimp Needed.