Welcome! I’m happy you’re here.
Before you are hired, I would love for you to understand the background and mission of what we are trying to achieve. I believe in this vision and hope you do too!
THE STORY
I have tutored students from numerous Russian households in the Greater Philadelphia area. Over the last three years, I’ve held nearly 1,000 lessons both virtually and in-person. I’ve had to turn down new clients purely because I no longer had time to book more.
Along my journey, I realized three things:
There is a huge Russian population in the Greater Philadelphia area and demand for virtual Russian tutors is soaring. The parents would rather work with someone who can tutor their child in English but understand Russian when they need to communicate with the tutor.
Where do they find such a tutor? Usually a quick listing on Russian parent Facebook groups, where parents recommend their own high school and college student children as tutors. If you’re not in these Facebook groups (and actively scouring them for tutor requests), you’re out of luck. And for the parents? Options seem limited.
Now, here’s where the story gets interesting.
At the same time that demand for tutors is rising, experienced and knowledgeable high school or college students are looking for jobs that offer flexible, low commitment hours with hourly pay that isn’t minimum wage.
Where do you find such a job? Private tutoring.
But wait, where are all the clients? They seem impossible to connect with on massive tutor matching companies online where thousands of other students have a listing identical to yours. And the local brick-and-mortar tutoring companies seem to be a rip-off. They charge the parents $35-40 then pay the tutors $10-14! Undervalued, much?
What I’d offer you is $16-28 per hour—much higher than even national intern salaries. I believe in tutors being paid what they deserve for the value they bring to the table.
So there is demand on both ends. Now how do the tutors and parents connect?
The word-of-mouth, local referral system among the Russians of Greater Philadelphia is very real and very powerful. Russians here trust other Russians, and that local advertising drives major customer volume to Russian businesses. Why not leverage this for yourself?
Because I have years of experience with these exact families, my network has grown, and I can use it to bring business to my tutors. I also have positive reviews from past clients that I can build a trusted reputation with for the brand — it can be your foot in the door if you don’t have past experience.
HOW WILL IT WORK?
I’d put in all the marketing grunt work for you, so that you don’t have to worry about finding clients. I’ll cover upfront advertising costs, drive around the city to implement marketing, and do all the calling/emailing of schools and businesses that can recommend us to families. I’ll fill out the legal forms, register the business, and pay the fees that will protect our tutors. It will take a few months, but hey, long-lasting brands aren’t built overnight.
In exchange? You bring your talent and time.
I will accept a commission of each lesson payment to account for the hours and costs I would be putting into building and maintaining the business. The take-home pay we decide on for you will remain as promised, so any commission would only fall from the remaining difference in what the families pay.
As you tutor for longer, your pay will rise. If you’re already coming in with more experience, your pay will begin higher too.
Seem fair?
I can also offer mentorship on lesson planning and equip you with the tools you need to be a successful virtual tutor.
If you are matched with a family to tutor long-term, you can also step away with glowing experience you can add to your resume.
It’s that simple!
And if you have questions or suggestions, I am always open to talk. I believe in transparency and building long-lasting, trusting relationships. I believe in creating community. I believe in fair, honest work and pay.
And at the end of the day? This kind of culture, support, and system of values leaves everyone happy and fulfilled, and that’s what matters above all.
Ready to join the tutor network?
Fill out this form, and I’ll get in touch with you!
I can’t wait to meet you!
Warmly,
Sasha Temerte