For parents and students
It's not that I won't tutor your child. I'll tutor anyone who wants to be tutored. My only requirement is that the student makes an effort to learn. Any effort is enough.
When I step away
Once in a while I sit with a student who isn't interested in learning the material. They're hoping for a magic bullet that will let them understand without effort. There isn't one. When a student has no questions and makes the same mistakes session after session, there comes a point where continuing doesn't make sense. It becomes a waste of the student's money and my time.
I know that's a strange thing for a business to say, since you're willing to pay. But I'd rather spend that hour with a student who needs me and is trying. I became a tutor to help people, not only to earn money, and I want to deliver value for what I'm paid.
How I handle it
I never stop without explanation. First I try to reach the student, sometimes with a firm word, always with encouragement. I remind them we're a team, ask what they want, and tell them there's no substitute for practice. I also talk with the parents before I make any decision, so it's never a surprise. It's uncomfortable and a little sad every time, but it's the honest thing to do.
Students who struggle are a different story
Some students struggle a great deal and keep trying. You can tell right away: they've worked on their own and they show up with real questions. I stay with those students without reservation. Nothing is more gratifying than seeing one of them succeed, and the credit belongs to them for sticking with it.
The best compliment
The best compliment a tutor can get is "I don't need you anymore." I once tutored a trigonometry student weekly for several weeks. Then she started canceling, with plenty of notice, two and three weeks in a row. Her mother told me her daughter felt bad about it, and I said it was fine and that I was glad she didn't need the help. Nobody said the words, but the message was clear. To me, that's success. It's also a little sad to lose a motivated student, but then it's on to the next one.