NOTE: This ad is going to be extremely long and detailed. We hate applications, phone screens, and interviews that go nowhere just as much as you do, so we’re going to put all of our requirements up-front with the aim of saving you – and us! – time and frustration. Let’s begin:
Brooklyn Math Tutors was founded on the simple philosophy that math should be fun, and that the learning process should be challenging but enjoyable. To that end, we are seeking tutors who are not only strong in academics but are also well-rounded, empathic, dynamic human beings who can inspire, lead and connect with students on an individual level.
Although the students should have fun (and you should have fun working with them!) we are looking for tutors who take their responsibilities to their students extremely seriously. In fact, we are probably one of the most selective agencies in the city – not in terms of academic accolades, but in terms of personal skills, professionalism, attention to detail, dedication, and discipline.
There are two main traits we look for in prospective tutors.
The first is professional-level communication skills. We are committed to respecting your work-life balance and your boundaries and won’t expect you to answer us at night or on weekends, but in return, we expect you to communicate clearly, consistently, proactively, and on a predictable time-table.
Everyone has different standards for professional communication, so please take a look at the following questions: Are you sometimes hard to get a hold of? Do you often take more than 1 business day to answer professional emails or more than a few hours to answer infrequent but urgent texts? Do you avoid talking on the phone? Do you feel that co-workers can communicate or expect too much communication when it comes to professional manners? Do you find yourself putting off dealing with issues rather than attacking them head on? Have you rescheduled more than one appointment in the last two weeks?
If you’ve answered ‘no’ to these questions, you’ll probably find us very easy to get along. From difficult parents, to unfamiliar topics, to challenging kids, to weird and unpredictable situations, you can be sure that we’ll be there to support you and that you’ll never be left without a quick and detailed answer to almost any question or issue that arises. If, however, you answered ‘yes’ to any of the above then you’ll probably feel like we are asking for more involvement and communication than you are comfortable with, and it probably won’t be a good fit.
The next trait we look for in our tutors is a strong level of personal investment in their students and a natural inclination towards helping others that goes beyond the paycheck.
Do you have to pull yourself away at the end of each session because you want to help your students as much as possible? Would you volunteer to help others if you had the time and financial freedom to do so? Can you not help but form meaningful connections with your students and their families? Do you enjoy the creative challenge of figuring out the most effective means of engaging individual students? Are you the kind of person who sees helping students succeed as more of a calling than a ‘gig’?
If this sounds like you then you’ll probably appreciate our company ethos and enjoy working with us and our clients. There’s little more satisfying than making a real difference in a young person’s life.
Let’s cover the logistical requirements.
This might be a good fit for you if you:
- Are a college graduate with a strong GPA (sorry, no current college students)
- Love math! We are looking primarily for math tutors, though the ability to tutor other subjects – both science and humanities – is a big plus.
- Have strong standardized test scores (700+ Math SAT, 33+ ACT, 5s on STEM APs, strong GRE scores) if tutoring upper-level courses.
- Have direct experience with younger kids (2-7th grade) if tutoring those age groups.
- Have extensive one-on-one tutoring experience in a professional setting.
- Are able to commit for a full academic year (2 semesters)
- Live in or within an easy commute of Brooklyn. Most of our students are in Brooklyn and a few are in Manhattan.
- Are generally available after 3pm on weekdays, and mornings on weekends.
- Are easily able to get around Brooklyn to meet with your clients.
- Want to be a part of a great community of cool people (our tutors often hang out together)
- Are available to take on 3 or more students per week.
Still with us? Let’s move forward – we’re almost there! Although many people have the skills, experience, and personality traits to be an effective tutor, we find that certain life circumstances work well with professional tutoring, while others do not.
Tutoring for us will probably not work out if you:
- Already have a full-time job
- Already have (or are looking for) a part-time job with hours that change on a weekly basis that potentially overlap with tutoring
- Only have one or two days available for tutoring during the week
- Travel frequently or are otherwise often unavailable during the academic year.
- Cannot commit for a full academic year. (ex: currently looking for a full-time job, etc)
On the other hand, tutoring often works out if you:
- Are currently a teacher, or are otherwise in the education industry
- Are a graduate, medical, or other post-secondary student
- Already tutor professionally or semi-professionally, or have in the past
- Are focused on a passion project that does not interfere schedule-wise with tutoring: writers, artists, designers, playwrights, non-touring musicians, other creatives, and etc. often work out well.
- Have a fairly predictable life-plan for the next year or so
If you’ve made it this far, and feel like it’s a good fit, then let’s get to the good stuff!
Perks of working with Brooklyn Math Tutors include:
- Make $50-$100/hour — some of our more industrious tutors make over $5000 a month!
- Set your own schedule and choose your own clients
- No hassle billing and payment — we have a nifty web app to charge sessions and we pay like clockwork with direct deposit
- Tutor for as many agencies as you like (but we think you’ll like us best)
- No micromanagement. You tutor as you see fit, but we do offer…
- Free training and resources when and if you want them
- Periodic free lunches and tutor dim sum(s) (pre and post corona!)
- A transparent company culture where we listen to (and solicit) your feedback about our day-to-day operations
- Opportunities to build other skills (writing, marketing, management, etc.)
- Bask in the good karma of helping others
Applying is Easy!
Click the Apply Here button below, fill out the Google Form, and make sure to add a note in the end detailing your experience and interest. Help us get to know you! Include some elements of yourself that make you human — what do you like to do? What’s the best internet meme you’ve found this week? What’s your favorite math puzzle?
Please include all subjects that you can tutor fluently, with minimal brushing up.
If you are interested in tutoring standardized tests such as the SAT, ACT, etc., please include your scores.
If you are more interested in working with younger kids (3-7th grade), please include relevant experience.
Phone screens and in-person interviews will be conducted. References, skills, and grades will be verified.
We hope to hear from you soon!