Frequently Asked Questions
Section Contents:
1.
Becoming a Member of ITA
What is the cost for becoming a member?
2. Training With Us
Do I need a degree to join ITA?
How long has ITA been operating?
If I am a member, do I have to get certified?
Are you part of TutorNation.com?
Who actually certifies an ITA tutor?
What are the learning modules?
How long do I have to complete the certificate program?
3. Logging in to My Account
How do I login to my personal account?
4. Getting Certified!
How long until I am officially certified?
Will my ITA Certification expire?
5. What are your policies?
1. Becoming a Member of ITA
Why become a member?
Membership in ITA shows tutees, parents, and other tutors that you are dedicated to the tutoring profession. It is a group where tutors share ideas, trade techniques, and have the opportunity to become certified ITA tutors. This is a great step in your professional career!
You'll even have proof of membership when you carry around an ITA member card that you can show to tutees and tutee parents. This is a fantastic way to show your commitment to the profession and let others know that you are a highly qualified tutor.
You will also have access to ITA's tutor training and certification program - a program that has been used successfully by hundreds of tutors around the globe!
What is the cost for becoming a member?
Please see our Sign Up page for full details!
How long has ITA been operating?
The International Tutoring Association has been in business since 2006, and we have been happily helping tutors worldwide ever since. We have also worked with academic institutions, tutoring centers, and other organizations to create customized tutor training programs that fit specialized needs. ITA is also proud to say that we have worked with the US Department of Labor and O*NET as industry experts, helping to establish tutoring as a professional industry with its own distinct occupational code.
2. Training With Us
I already have a teaching credential. Why would I need ITA certification?
While
a teaching credential is good, it is not necessarily tailored to
a tutoring environment. A teaching credential, as the name implies,
is meant to make you a good teacher rather than a good tutor. Being
a good tutor requires a specialized set of skills. When you are
tutoring, you are interacting with your "student" on a
one-to-one basis rather than focusing on an entire classroom. There
are also issues within a tutoring session that differ from teaching;
issues of learning material handling, interpersonal communication
techniques, and test preparation strategies (just to name a few).
Tutor certification is the only way to exhibit that you have mastered
the art of tutoring.
Do I need a degree to join ITA?
No. At ITA, we believe that a good tutor is more than just a degree on the wall.
We believe that there are skilled individuals from every walk of life who can become outstanding tutors with or without a degree.
We
have tutors who possess graduate degrees, undergraduate degrees,
and tutors who possess high school diplomas. Some of our tutors
are retirees who have an amazing gift with languages and no formal degree; others are graduate students who are tutoring
while attending school...you get the idea!
Why ITA?
As a professional organization, ITA represents hundreds of tutors all over the world. By joining ITA, you are telling peers and clients that tutoring is a career you are passionate about, and that you are willing to take the next step and join an organization devoted to the tutoring profession.
As a certifying institution, ITA
can give you the education and training you need to make a real difference in
the world of tutoring. By pursuing ITA certification, you are showing
your clients that you have mastered the art of tutoring, and understand what they need to learn successfully. ITA certification can mean the difference between having
a few clients a month and having several clients a week, the difference between having a side job and having a full time career as a professional tutor.
If I join ITA, do I have to get certified?
No. Certification is not mandatory to be a member of ITA.
However, once you are a member of ITA, tutor certification is available to you, free of charge, and can really boost your tutoring career. Once you are certified, your ITA credential will show up on the "Member Search" page in the form of an e-certificate. Paper certificates are also available for a small additional fee.
Are you part of TutorNation.com?
No. However, we do have a referral program set
up with them. TutorNation.com members receive a discounted membership.
What is tutor certification?
Tutor certification is the end result of a training program for tutors. The value of the actual certificate is based on two things:
The content of the training program; and, to a lesser extent, the reputation of the certifying organization.
Good
training content is most important because it can positively affect
a tutor's performance. ITA's training program is one of the best
available. Reputation adds value to your certification in the eyes
of your tutees.
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Who actually certifies an ITA tutor?
ITA
was established by Mark Greenwood, author of Greenwood's Guide for
Tutors. Mark Greenwood also created a certified tutor training program
at California Polytechnic University of Pomona, and has presented
at ACCTLA, CRLA, and WESTOP conferences. With over 30 years experience
in the tutoring and teaching fields, Mark designed the ITA program
specifically to help tutors learn to perform at their very best,
and make the most of every tutoring session, regardless of what
subject is being tutored. In short, ITA is its own certifying program.
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What are the learning modules?
Each ITA learning module is a specially designed teaching block that delivers information centered around a specific theme. For example, there are training modules built around proper (and improper) communication techniques, the optimal tutoring environment, and effective session management techniques.
What do these learning blocks mean to you as a tutor? They will give you the information you need without overcomplicating or "watering down" the material. Which means you will have the information you need to begin tutoring sooner. We have cut through the endless jargon and unnecessary methodology, and have designed a practical, straightforward tutoring program that gets results fast.
Each
learning module has been specifically engineered to maximize your
learning experience. As you progress, each module is used as a building
block to the next module level. This
comprehensive learning style imparts specific units of instruction
at specific intervals, so you learn everything you need without
feeling overwhelmed or weighed down.
How long do I have to complete the certification program?
Since learning style is so unique to each individual,
the time for certification can vary from one tutor to another.
Some tutors have completed the program in as little as 3 weeks while
other tutors have taken a little over 9 months. The important thing
is that you work at your own pace. Don't worry about how quickly
other tutors have completed the program, just focus on your
own progress.
You have as much time as you need to complete your ITA training.
I have a few years of tutoring experience already. Will ITA waive some of the requirements for certification?
Yes. If you have over 5 years of tutoring experience, please fill out the "Professional Tutoring Experience" form, and we will waive the 10 hour log sheet and the 3 evaluations. The "Professional Tutoring Experience" form can be found in your member area. Please login to access the form.
3. Logging in to My Account
How do I login to my account?
If you pay by credit card or Paypal you can log in immediately after paying.
If you choose to pay be check or money order, we will send you an email when we receive your payment, and once your payment has cleared, we will send you an account activation notice.
Can I choose my own password?
Yes, you can change your password at any time.
4. Getting Certified!
How long until I am officially certified?
Please allow 2 weeks for processing.
Since we carefully review all of your submitted certification information, the process can take a few weeks.
If everything is satisfactory, congratulations! You are an officially certified tutor, and should already have an e-certificate viewable by your clients!
Your status will be reflected in your account, and tutees will be able to look you up on the ITA website to verify your certification.
Will my ITA Certification expire?
No,
once your ITA certificate has been issued, the certification will not expire.
5. What are your policies?
Privacy Policy
At ITA, we hate spam almost as much as you do. That's why we will never share your information with anyone, and we will never sell your information to anyone. For more details, see our Privacy Policy.
Terms and Conditions
Please see our Terms and Conditions page.
Refund Policy
Your membership is non-refundable once you have started training. However, we are aware that sometimes things happen. If you need a refund, contact us, and we may be able to work with you.
