Welcome to Chicago North Shore Moms’ Small Business Spotlight, where we highlight a local business owner and their community endeavors. This week we’re shining a light on the owner of Mobile Academics, a female-founded businesses providing in-home tutoring services. After teaching at Highland Park’s Edgewood Middle School for 6th and 7th grade math, founder, Rachael Gluck, started Mobile Academics to fill a need for high-quality tutoring services in partner with a flexible career. Rachael and her tutors serve the North Shore and the Northwest suburbs, and she’s looking for great tutors to join her team! Welcome, Rachael!
Hi Rachael! Please introduce yourself.
Hi! I’m Rachael Gluck. I am originally from Rockford, IL. I have lived in Vernon Hills for the last 22 years. My husband, Michael, and I moved here from Wrigleyville so we could have a little more space to start a family. It was also a much easier commute to my teaching job at Edgewood Middle School in Highland Park. I taught 6th and 7th grade math there. I have my undergraduate degree in Education from the University of Illinois and a master’s in administration from Northeastern.
Tell us about your children!
My oldest daughter, Sari, is 20 years old. She is a junior studying biology (pre-med) at the University of Illinois. Talia is 18 years old and is a freshman at the University of Iowa. She is pursuing her degree in Special Education. Arielle is 15 years old and is a sophomore at Vernon Hills High School.
Please introduce Mobile Academics!
Mobile Academics is a one-on-one tutoring company that comes to you. We will work in your home, library or local coffee shop. Our exceptional tutors work with students of all ages in all areas of study. We match one of our tutors with your student after discussing his/her specific needs. Of course, we always place students with tutors who have been requested.
What made you go into this line of work?
I love teaching math and talking to parents, but I also loved the idea of being home with my young children. Tutoring gave me the ability to do both. As I grew my individual tutoring business, I realized so many students needed a good tutor. I decided to hire additional tutors and offer subjects other than math. I decided to become an expert in ACT/SAT prep and train my tutors so they share the great strategies that I have developed.
I imagine that you’re quite busy in this field, particularly with the aftermath of the pandemic. How have academics changed over the last few years? And student’s learning style…
Many students fell behind, especially in math, during the pandemic. Many students are missing basic skills in algebra. The teachers are trying to fill in gaps, but it is often difficult to teach the current curriculum along with the curriculum they should have learned. Students are having trouble taking cumulative finals because they didn’t have to for 1-2 years. Many schools are now requiring finals so students need to learn how to remember material for a final exam.
In regards to the ACT/SAT, students can take either test. The tests are much more similar today and colleges will take either score. These tests remain a differentiator for entrance to many majors and scholarship dollars.
Rachael Is looking to add new tutors to her growing business. Become a Mobile Academics tutor! Pays well, flexible hours and very rewarding.
What would you like to tell our readers (moms, dads or even college students) who might like to learn more about becoming a tutor?
If you enjoy teaching and seeing how much one on one tutoring can help a student excel, you are a perfect candidate for tutoring. The hours are very flexible. Tutors can choose weekday and weekend hours. Most tutoring occurs after the school day or on the weekends so it can supplement any job. If you are interested in tutoring ACT/SAT prep, I have a one-time training program that all of my test prep tutors participate in.
For prospective tutors out there, what are the qualifications needed to become a tutor? How do you vet potential employees?
You must be in college or have graduated from college. You don’t have to have a teaching degree, but it helps. All of my prospective tutors are background checked and need to teach me a couple of short lessons to ensure you are able to teach with confidence and communicate with the students and parents in a meaningful way.
Describe something you’re most proud of in your profession.
I’m so proud of what I have built. Growing a tutoring business is all about building quality relationships with parents, getting referrals from past and present clients and helping students to successfully reach their goals. It is so rewarding to help a student who is struggling be able to understand the material and feel good about his/her progress. It is also rewarding to see students get the test score they set out for.
When clients come to you what can they expect?
Parents can expect a sincere one-on-one conversation with me that ultimately results in a plan of action for their student. I am a good listener and able to offer advice from the perspective of an educator and a parent. I am extremely familiar with the school systems, teachers and classes on the North Shore. You can expect tutors that are experts in the subjects they are teaching. You can also expect an individualized plan for your student.
What towns do you serve?
We have tutors serving: Buffalo Grove, Deerfield, Gurnee, Highland Park, Lake Forest, Libertyville, Long Grove, Northbrook, Vernon Hills and surrounding communities.
What’s on the horizon for Mobile Academics?
We want to keep growing, but will not do it at the expense of quality. Parents trust us to help their student to the best of our abilities. We need to keep attracting great tutors so we can keep up with demand. We also want to expand the company to include college level courses.
How do our readers learn more about getting in touch with you to learn more about becoming a tutor?
Visit mobileacademics.com, email me at [email protected] or call/text me at 847-858-8707.
**This post contains sponsored content.