Why Tutoring Costs What It Does: Behind the Scenes at Math Wizdom

So You’re Paying Big Bucks for an Hour of Tutoring? Actually, You’re Getting Way More at Math Wizdom! (AND FOR LESS)

Hey there, hardworking parents! As your kids tackle the wild world of K-12 education, you may find yourself in a serious dilemma: how to support their learning without breaking the bank. You hear about tutors charging upwards of $100 an hour, and suddenly, your wallet feels like it’s in a chokehold.

The thought of spending a small fortune on tutoring might make you break out in a cold sweat. But let’s put things in perspective. When you invest in tutoring sessions with Math Wizdom, you’re not just paying for an hour of instruction; you’re funding a whole treasure trove of expertise, planning, and personalized support that will help your child shine brighter than a newly polished trophy!

Why is Tutoring costs what it does?

1. Professional Development—Math Wizdom is Always in Study Mode

Professional Development can be costly for tutors, but it's what we have to do in order to ensure we stay at the top of our game.

Here’s the thing: I’m a lifelong learner too! Right now, I’m deep into a course on teaching geometry to students with dyscalculia, so that I can support every type of learner who walks through Math Wizdom’s doors (okay, virtual doors!). Courses like these aren’t cheap, but they keep me sharp and ensure that I can bring the most effective methods to each student. I’m not required to take these courses, but I choose to because your child deserves strategies backed by the latest research.

Cost on my end? Hundreds, sometimes thousands, of dollars plus time and energy. Value for your child? Priceless.

And here’s the best part—you’re not paying a penny extra for this additional expertise. This dedication to growth is what sets Math Wizdom apart, making every session more effective and personalized.

2. Lesson Planning: Because ‘One Size Fits All’ is for Hats, Not Learning

Tutoring at Math Wizdom isn’t a matter of just showing up and “teaching.” Every single session is built from scratch, personalized to your child’s unique needs, strengths, and learning style. I’m not pulling out some old lesson plan and calling it a day—I’m tailoring each session to make sure it’s engaging, effective, and designed just for your child.

Whether I’m explaining 4th-grade fractions one minute or breaking down complex radical expressions the next, each session at Math Wizdom is customized to make the material stick. And when I can’t find the “perfect fit” resource? I make my own. That’s right—your Math Wizdom tutor is also a curriculum developer, creating activities that keep your child excited to learn.

Time commitment: 1-2 hours of prep for each session. Cost to you? Just the hourly rate.

3. Research: The Never-Ending Rabbit Hole

Every time a new student joins Math Wizdom, I go into research mode. After our first conversation, I dive into the latest strategies, brain-based learning methods, and math resources to find just the right approach. Picture me at 2 a.m., surrounded by textbooks, fueled by coffee, and reading articles titled “Neurocognitive Pathways in Mathematical Comprehension.” Extreme? Maybe. But that’s what it takes to give your child the best.

Time cost to me? Hours of deep dives into research. Value to you? A cutting-edge, evidence-based approach—without any extra charge.

4. Personalized Assessment: Tracking Progress Every Step of the Way

Creating and adapting assessments to fit your child takes time.

From the first session at Math Wizdom, I’m not just teaching—I’m assessing, tracking, and adjusting my approach to meet your child’s needs. Each session provides insight into their strengths, areas for growth, and progress. This isn’t just a “one-time” test; it’s an ongoing commitment to improvement.

Creating and adapting assessments to fit your child takes time, and it’s one of the most valuable tools in our toolkit at Math Wizdom. Constantly measuring and celebrating progress means your child’s sessions are always fine-tuned to keep them moving forward.

Time commitment? Ongoing assessment and adaptation. Cost? Still just that hourly rate—but with the added bonus of consistent growth.

5. Communication: Because We’re All in This Together

At Math Wizdom, I keep parents in the loop! For every email or question you send, I take time to review our sessions, pull up notes, and give you a thoughtful, personalized response. This isn’t just about “getting back to you.” It’s about building a strong partnership that keeps your child’s progress front and center.

Keeping parents updated is a priority, and it’s part of the individualized service you get at Math Wizdom. Whether it’s sharing successes or discussing areas to work on, my communication ensures that you’re informed, involved, and reassured that your investment is paying off.

Time investment? Considerable! Cost? Just the same hourly rate—but this time, it includes peace of mind.

6. Years of Classroom Wisdom in Every Session

Let’s talk experience. I’ve spent years in classrooms, working with hundreds of students, each with their own unique needs. This experience allows me to quickly adapt, identify strengths, and provide support in ways that have been proven to work. The tutor I am today is light years ahead of the teacher I was in my first year (thankfully!), and I bring that wealth of experience to every Math Wizdom session.

Each success, challenge, and insight from my teaching career has helped build the Math Wizdom method. This experience isn’t something I can “cram” for; it’s earned over time. It’s part of what makes Math Wizdom such a unique and effective service for your child.

7. The Business Side: A Full-Service Operation That Keeps Math Wizdom Running Smoothly

Behind the scenes, there’s marketing, website maintenance, creating resources, organizing schedules, and handling all the little details that make each session seamless and professional.

Running a tutoring business like Math Wizdom involves a lot more than just showing up to teach. There’s marketing, website maintenance, creating resources, organizing schedules, and handling all the little details that make each session seamless and professional. This structure ensures I can keep my focus on what matters—helping your child succeed.

Time and financial commitment on my end? Significant. Benefit to you? A well-oiled machine that’s ready to meet your child’s unique needs.

8. Tools, Tech, and Resources: The Behind-the-Scenes Essentials of Math Wizdom

Let’s talk about the gear and subscriptions that make each Math Wizdom session run seamlessly. Every time we meet, there’s an invisible network of resources working behind the scenes to ensure that your child has an engaging, glitch-free experience. From the Zoom subscription to the high-speed internet, manipulatives, and whiteboards I use to make our sessions hands-on and interactive—even virtually—everything is chosen to create the best learning environment possible.

Then there are the specialized tools, like Prodigy or other online platforms, that I subscribe to for specific students. Hardware, too, is part of the equation; from my laptop to the document camera, all of it is carefully selected to minimize tech hiccups and maximize learning time.

Every item, subscription, and platform is an investment in your child’s success, allowing Math Wizdom sessions to feel like they’re happening right there with them—even through a screen. And yes, while schools used to cover some of these costs, I cover them now so that your child can get a first-class learning experience every single time.

The Real Value of a Math Wizdom Session

So let’s recap. When you pay $100 for a tutoring session at Math Wizdom, you’re not just paying for an hour. You’re investing in:

When you choose Math Wizdom, you’re not just paying for “an hour.” You’re securing a mentor, a strategist, a lifelong learner, and a partner in your child’s success.

If you’ve made it to the end of this blog and read about all the time, energy, and resources that go into each Math Wizdom session and still feel that tutors are charging “too much,” let me reassure you—that couldn’t be further from the truth.

We don’t charge these rates out of greed; we charge them out of necessity.

Most tutors I know, myself included, would love to offer our services at prices that make it easy for every family to say “yes.” But the reality is, many of us have been in situations where we worried about how to cover our bills. We know that setting rates means some families may not be able to afford this specialized support, and it’s a tough decision because we’re here to reach as many students as possible.

We don’t charge these rates out of greed; we charge them out of necessity. At Math Wizdom, every dollar goes toward supporting the personalized, intensive preparation and resources we provide. If we didn’t set these rates, we’d be sacrificing the level of quality, care, and support your child deserves—and in some cases, we’d be sacrificing our own ability to keep the lights on. When you invest in Math Wizdom, know that you’re getting a passionate partner, dedicated to making sure your child succeeds in ways that will serve them for a lifetime.

Ready to see what a truly individualized, research-backed approach can do for your child? Book a FREE Consultation and start building a future full of confidence and competence in math.