What Is an Online Math Tutor and How to Become One

Online math tutors help students work through specific problems or with general math issues. But instead of working in-person at a tutoring center or other location, online math tutors work with their clients through websites or online applications. As a math tutor, you may work with individual students or with a small group. Your responsibilities include determining what issues the student has, talking them through the problem, and making sure they understand the necessary math concepts. You work patiently with your students, explaining and demonstrating the mathematics material they are learning in a variety of ways to help them find the solution. Before the tutoring session is over, you also provide tips for studying and practice drills so that they can master the material.

To become an online math tutor, you need at least an associate degree or tutoring certification for math, though some positions require a bachelor’s degree in mathematics or a related field. You must have a clear understanding of math beyond the grade level you tutor and be able to explain how to calculate answers in a variety of math problems in a way that your clients understand. Online math tutors typically work with a tutoring company, but some may be independent tutors who work with students remotely through live streaming. Certification is not required, but becoming certified may increase your chances on the job market. To become a certified math tutor, complete the tutor training courses offered by national tutoring groups, such as the American Tutoring Association (ATA) or the National Tutoring Association (NTA).

To be an excellent online math tutor, master the areas of mathematics for the grade levels you will be teaching. Great tutors listen to their students to determine where they are having trouble in their math studies. They assess their students thoroughly and devise ways to help their students understand the math concepts and find solutions to their math problems. You must be patient and persistent since it may take multiple teaching sessions before a student understands a specific lesson. Though you do not meet with your students in-person, you still need to be personable and easy to talk to so that the students are comfortable describing their issues.