History and Philosophy of LTES

Learning Together Educational Services (LTES) began in 1992 as an owner-operated tutoring service and has grown steadily, adding new services every year. As of Winter 2005, LTES has assisted over 1,100 clients, from elementary school through college.

How It Works

LTES offers tutor referrals designed to address each person's educational needs. We begin with a telephone or e-mail consultation with the parent(s) which allows us to determine if we can match tutor skills and experience to the client's requirements. In our initial consultation, we look for the client's strengths as well as challenges. If we determine that we may have the resources to assist the student, we refer you directly to one or more of our referral tutors. We post the tutors' bios on the LTES Web site where you can review their academic credentials. The tutor will contact you (or vice-versa) to set up an initial meeting. You pay the tutor directly for his/her services. There is no charge to you on this end.

You can set up as few or as many sessions as you like, with a suggested once-a-week one-hour minimum requirement. Each session generally lasts about an hour, but can be lengthened at the request of the parent. Tutors can also meet with clients twice or more during the week at the request of the parent. The duration of the tutoring experience is determined by the requirements of the situation which could last from a few sessions to a year or more. Since the purpose of tutoring is usually to assist the student to acquire specific skills or to understand concepts, tutors conclude their professional relationship when the goals have been met.

Testing

Should it become evident that educational evaluation is necessary, your tutor will make such a recommendation to the parents or guardians.

Location

LTES believes that students work best in a relaxed and comfortable atmosphere. For children, this usually means their own home. The same holds true for adult clients, though tutors can also arrange sessions at the local library, the client's work site, the local community college library, etc. For some children, some tutors may also travel to the school if there is time available during the child's day for supplemental services, with the permission of the school.

Support

LTES believes that the essence of successful tutoring is the relationship between the tutor and the client. Sometimes clients come to the tutoring experience feeling unsure of their self-worth, abilities or potential. Part of the tutor's task is to convey to the client our belief that people possess different strengths and talents, and that a challenge in one academic area need not be reflective of overall capabilities.

Staff

Our referral staff has a wide variety of expertise and teaching experience in private and public schools, and in individual instruction. Most of our referral tutors possess advanced degrees. Many are state certified, and all have passed criminal, educational, and experiential background checks.

Mission Statement - Values - Philosophy

LTES subscribes to the philosophy that everyone is capable of learning and that the natural, though sometimes unfulfilled and impeded, impetus of people is toward growth and development.We ask that our tutors foster the growth and development of each individual client by:

• addressing each individual learner with respect and attention.
• responding to the needs of the individual learner.
• providing age-appropriate tutorial services that promote solid skills acquisition.
• supporting a policy of nondiscrimination on the basis of age, sex, race, religion, color, nationality, ethnic origin, size or physical or learning differences in our policies, practices and programs.

Service Area

Professional Affiliations and Memberships

LTES is affiliated with, or a member of, the following organizations:

National Tutoring Association (NTA)

NTA is a national network of tutors, administrators and other interested individuals. The NTA sponsors an annual conference and publishes a newsletter. For further information, contact 1-800-311-6630 or http://www.ntatutor.org/

Education Industry Association (EIA)

AEPP is a national network of educators providing service to the general public via learning -centers, private tutoring, etc. For further information please contact the AEPP Web Page: http://www.aepp.org

Developmental Education Association of Maryland (DEAM) (http://www.towson.edu/~boone/deam/)