Families that struggled with virtual learning can get their child the help they need from In-Home Tutors, which believes in the value of face-to-face instruction for students of all levels.

Although the worst of the COVID-19 pandemic is thankfully behind us, the horror stories of virtual learning remain fresh in the minds of any student, parent or teacher who had to participate in online education. As much effort as everyone put into the process, trying to overcome distractions or technological issues to focus on the lesson at hand proved to be daunting, and many children inevitably fell behind. Needless to say, while tablets or laptops are still embraced for entertainment purposes and even homework, very few families are in a rush to interact with an instructor through a screen again.

Fortunately, the appeal of face-to-face human interaction is not lost on the team behind In-Home Tutors. Founded in Atlanta in 2002 by Dennis Freeman and his wife Deelee, the company expanded to Orlando in 2007, and ever since then has been offering private tutoring services to a wide range of clients throughout Central Florida. Whether it’s a young child learning to read, a high school student trying to master chemistry or even an adult who has gone back to college and needs help with statistics, In-Home Tutors will match that person with the right instructor to get them on track in the comfort of their own surroundings.

“We are unashamedly old-school in this belief: We think having the tutor come to the home is the best way of making sure that the tutoring is effective,” Freeman says. “Parents call us all the time and say, ‘Online learning was a disaster for my child.’ It’s such a relief for families to have someone come to the home, and we’re very pleased to have that as a key part of our service.”

Krysta DeMilio, the regional manager of the Orlando location, has been involved in tutoring for 15 years. She notes that the relationships built from in-person instruction have a lasting impact.

“I think In-Home Tutors is the best choice for parents just because of that personal touch,” she says. “Having a tutor come into your home and being able to see how they’re teaching your child and how your child is reacting is so nice. Parents can even talk to the tutor and help with the learning. Over time, a lot of our tutors become like family: They start getting invited for dinner or to watch the student’s accomplishments.”

The convenience factor is also a major draw for busy parents. Instead of having to drive their child to a learning center, the tutor comes to them at a time that fits the family’s schedule. Mom or Dad can continue with household chores, preparing dinner or even working themselves while the session takes place.

Being easy to work with was a core value for Freeman when he started the company, which is why In-Home Tutors also makes the payment system as simple as possible. Unlike many competitors, there are no fixed contracts and clients are not forced to commit to a certain length of time or a fixed number of hours. They are billed monthly and can cancel service at any time.

In-Home Tutors further makes the process a stress-free one by matching tutors to each client, rather than asking them to choose from a list on a website. Freeman calls it “concierge tutoring,” and all it takes is one call to get a hand at each stage of the child’s development, from middle-school math to SAT prep.

“When we talk to clients on the phone, we try to get as much information as we can about their child,” DeMilio adds. “We match the tutor based on the child’s needs, where they’re located and the tutor’s experience. We also get to know our tutors’ personalities so we can determine who would be a good fit for certain students.”

Parents can rest assured they’re getting a qualified instructor, often a current or retired teacher, or perhaps a young professional who can relate to the student’s experiences.

In-Home Tutors also works with foster kids through a partnership with Foundation for Foster Children, and in addition to tutoring, the company has a thriving program called “Homework Coach.” The idea came to Freeman about 13 years ago when he would consistently hear from parents that their child did not need assistance in grasping the material, but instead had trouble with completing assignments on time and preparing for tests.

“Part of our goal is to help build executive function skills so that students, very commonly with ADHD but not necessarily, who are disorganized or distracted can learn how to organize their thoughts, write down their assignments, complete them on time and properly, and get them turned in,” Freeman says. “There’s a big need for something as simple as that, and it’s become a huge part of our business.”

No matter which service a family is turning to In-Home Tutors for, they are committing to a company that is dependable and compassionate. Freeman sets that example from the top and is proud to see it trickle down to every employee, as every member of the team is invested in the success of their clients.

“We love when a parent says, ‘My daughter was so discouraged, but after six weeks of working with Miss Karen, she’s really turned around. She’s getting an A and she’s really happy when Miss Karen comes around,’” Freeman says. “The reward is knowing you’re doing some good.”

In-Home Tutors
(407) 459-1231
Orlando.InHomeTutors.com