Putting My Mouth Where the Money Is...

[teacherman1]

As you know I resigned my position a month ago on YouTube and some good things have come out of it. I've been asked to speak at the Department of Ed Occupation in April along with Diane Ravitch, Stephen Krashen, Nancy Carlson-Paige and Kris Nielson. I'll be the first speaker on Friday, April 5th (9:20 AM) so if you happen to be in the area, please stop by.

The 2nd good thing is that the "Montessori Madmen" have offered me a full scholarship to their teacher training school (and a position if I complete the course). I visited their school in Peacedale, Rhode Island and absolutely loved what I saw, but the problem is I'm 61 years old and not willing to spend another full year of my life going to school.

My friends and family are trying to get me to open a tutoring service, but I don't want to go through the time and expense and hassle of setting up a small business. So I'm trying something really outside the box. I'm offering my tutoring service to the highest bidder on e-bay and guaranteeing results. If I can't get your dyslexic child to read on or above grade level, I won't charge a dollar for my time. To see the ad, click here
Wish me luck!

[catnfiddle]

That is incredibly exciting. Please let us know if it's going to be televised so we can all watch. You're going to be alongside some strong people. What an honor!

Why not take some time to learn? If I still have my brain when I retire, I'm going to spend as much time as a student as possible.

[donziejo]

You really do think outside the box!

[Rockguykev]

So, you quit because your creativity was boxed in by testing and now you offer your services to be measured by... testing?

I'm really confused.

[teacherman1]

Originally Posted by Rockguykev

So, you quit because your creativity was boxed in by testing and now you offer your services to be measured by... testing?

I'm really confused.

Not sure what you mean by that. I teach kids to read. That's it. Everything I've done so far has been voluntary - and I plan to continue that. In fact, I've gotten two new students this past week.

I'm just hoping that I can connect with a few people who are well off and can afford paying what the service is really worth. Then at least I'll be able to make a living until I hit retirement age.

[czacza]

Originally Posted by teacherman1

Not sure what you mean by that. I teach kids to read. That's it. Everything I've done so far has been voluntary - and I plan to continue that. In fact, I've gotten two new students this past week.

I'm just hoping that I can connect with a few people who are well off and can afford paying what the service is really worth. Then at least I'll be able to make a living until I hit retirement age.

So you're planning to continue voluntary but hope to connect with a few well off clients who can pay...like rock guy, I'm confused. You seem to be saying two things at once.

As teachers, we all 'dance to the music'. Curriculum changes, testing places demands on us,new evaluation systems,legally binding education plans to carry out with individual students. We may not agree with everything we are asked to do. Some of us have more freedom than others, some have a more complicated dance. We do what we can for our students within the parameters placed upon us...whatever those parameters are: time, budget, philosophies, edicts...but truthfully, you put yourself in a precarious position of having to 'make a living until retirement age'...some would call you a hero, some would call you a fool.
Good luck to you.

[JustMe]

If you're not in danger of going hungry, I think you made the right choice. Too many do things they don't love...and life is not meant to just "get through". Additionally, we tend to think we need so much more than we do.

So your plan is to freely help students who would otherwise go unhelped, but you'll accept payment from those families who can afford it? It actually makes sense to me. I think plenty of people do similar things.

As to the ad, though, I think $500 as a starting bid is quite high. It's not too high to give your child the "gift" of reading, but there isn't much in the ad to convince someone you're worth that much money upfont. Maybe some sort of contract/payment plan?

If this eBay thing doesn't work, have you considered ads in your local papers?

[czacza]

For $500, I tutor 7 hours. I get results, but unlimited tutoring for that amount isn't going to pay the bills....

[Caesar753]

This is all getting to be too much.

[czacza]

Originally Posted by Caesar753

This is all getting to be too much.

Yup.