Recently my friend and I have started a non-profit coding class where we teach elementary and middle schoolers the basics of Python. Today I will be discussing how you can do the same. This is going to be a step-by-step process that covers from marketing to making a curriculum.
Why should you start a non-profit tutoring organization?
Before we get into the guide, let us list some of the possible reasons you may want to tutor for free. First, and foremost, it looks good on college applications. This is a great way to show your contribution to the community to colleges. It also shows that you can take initiative and show leadership. These are some essential qualities that the top universities look for in candidates.
Another reason is that it gives you good exposure for starting your own profitable tutoring business later on. This will make you quite a bit of money on the side. You can learn some of the vital skills of tutoring. In addition, it helps create important connections with parents that will help you when finding clients for your tutoring business.
How to start your tutoring organization
Here is the full step-by-step process that you need to know to start your tutoring organization.
Step 1: Choosing Something to Teach The very first step in this process is choosing something you want to teach. Find a topic that you like. Not only do you have to like it, but also make sure you can teach the subject. You must be a master at it or at least have enough experience to teach it well. Secondly, you must ensure that the subject you teach is valuable and that there is a demand for it. No one is going to spend their valuable time in your class if all you teach is how to play Monopoly. Some good subjects that you can teach may include a musical instrument or a hobby that you are passionate about. It could also just be a school subject you are good at like Math.
Step 2: Finding Time
You want to decide how often your classes will be and what time you are available. Make sure that the time that you choose is convenient for you and your students. Also, decide how long your classes will be. A good range for your class length is 30 minutes to 1 hour. This is usually convenient for most people. Lastly, you want to decide whether you will teach in-person or online. Online is beneficial because it allows you to teach students who may live far away. It also means that you do not have to travel. The benefits of in-person include a better connection with your students as well as better learning. If you are doing in-person classes, some good places to teach may include, your local church or library. At the end of the day, it is up to you, to choose whichever one is convenient.
Step 3: Creating a Curriculum
The next step is creating a curriculum for your class. Break your course up into days, and decide what you will teach each day. Also, decide what homework you will be assigning for each day beforehand. Make sure that you don't overload your students with too much information in one class. In this stage, you would also want to decide what age group you want to teach depending on the difficulty of your material. Remember, you don't need to create your entire curriculum before you have even started your first class. You can make the curriculum after your class has started as well.
Step 4: Marketing
This is arguably one of the most crucial and difficult parts of the process. There are multiple ways you can market your tutoring organization to parents. One way is advertising online. You can use Instagram or TikTok to advertise and let people know about you. One of the best sites to advertise on is probably Facebook. You want to go into groups where you can find parents that may be interested in your tutoring. Then simply make posts to let them know. Find as many groups as you possibly can and advertise your tutoring. At the same time, make sure that you do not spam and be respectful of the Facebook group's guidelines.
Instead of using social media to advertise yourself, you can take a more traditional approach and use word of mouth. Tell your family and friends about your service. See if they are interested. Personally, this is how I got most of my students. Another great way is physical posters. This may be a bit more expensive, but you can print out physical posters and place them around your community. Some good places may include a school, church/temple, or a park. No matter, how you decide to advertise give yourself a few weeks to a month to get clients because it can be a slow and painstaking process.
Step 5: Teaching
Now that you have a proper curriculum and students to teach, you can finally start teaching your students. You may feel a bit nervous the first time you teach but just take a deep breath and persevere through it. After the first time, you will get used to it and it will be less stressful. Reflect on your classes and make adjustments as you go. Make sure that what you are teaching is easy to understand. Make your classes fun and interactive as well. You can do this by adding learning games or Kahoots.
In conclusion, starting a non-profit tutoring organization can be a rewarding endeavor, benefiting both you and your community. By sharing your expertise, whether it's in coding, music, or academics, you not only contribute positively to the education of young learners but also cultivate valuable skills such as leadership and communication. The process, from choosing what to teach to marketing your services, requires careful planning and dedication. However, the potential benefits, such as enhancing college applications and gaining experience for future endeavors, make it a worthwhile investment of time and effort. Ultimately, through commitment and passion for education, you can make a meaningful impact in the lives of students while building a foundation for your own professional growth.
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