Tutoring FAQs & Pricing
Choosing tutoring is an investment in understanding, confidence and independence. Here are clear answers about my $90–$120 hourly rate, what lessons involve and how to decide whether Lumina Tutoring is right for your learner.
How much does tutoring cost?
One-to-one tutoring with Rachel is $90 - $120 per hour. You work directly with a BC-certified mathematics teacher with over 20 years of teaching experience. Before lessons are arranged, we discuss the student’s course, goals, learning needs and availability so you can make an informed choice.
Why do you charge more than some tutors?
My rate reflects the professional expertise I bring to each lesson: teacher training, a strong mathematics background and more than two decades of teaching experience. I look beyond whether an answer is right or wrong to understand how a student is thinking, identify the missing ideas and choose a useful next step. The value is in making the learning time purposeful and helping students develop skills they can use independently.
What am I paying for during a lesson?
You are paying for focused, individual instruction. A lesson can include identifying learning gaps, explaining concepts in different ways, modelling a method, guiding practice and checking understanding. The content and pace respond to the student’s needs and current coursework. The aim is for the student to leave with a clearer understanding of what to do and why it works.
What difference does working with a certified teacher make?
Knowing mathematics and teaching it clearly are different skills. Professional teacher training informs how I plan instruction, assess understanding and adapt an explanation when the first approach does not connect. For BC school courses, I can place a difficult question within the wider curriculum and help strengthen the foundations the student needs next. Read more about Rachel’s experience and qualifications.
Why is online tutoring the same hourly rate?
The rate reflects the teaching expertise, individual attention and subject knowledge provided in the lesson. Those remain central whether we meet online or in person. Online math tutoring lets students across BC access the same teacher without travelling. We confirm the lesson format and setup by email before meeting.
Is this just help finishing homework?
Homework can be a useful starting point, but the teaching focuses on understanding and independent problem-solving. We can use a current question to uncover a gap in algebra, explain the reasoning and then try a related example. Lessons can also focus on course preparation, rebuilding foundations or preparing for a test. The goal is for students to do more of the thinking themselves over time.
Do you work with ADHD, autism, IEPs or mental health barriers?
Yes. I welcome students with ADHD, autism, mental health barriers and any IEP designation, and hold a Mental Health First Aid certificate. We discuss the learner’s strengths and helpful supports, which may include smaller tasks, visual explanations, flexible pacing and breaks. My role is to provide educational support tailored to the learner. Explore individualized and homeschooling support.
Can you teach homeschooling and university students?
Yes. Homeschooling support can include math instruction, planning and assessment support. School and university tutoring includes Pre-calculus 10–12, AP Calculus and university mathematics through third year, including all first-, second- and third-year UBC MATH courses. Students can send their syllabus and current questions to confirm course suitability. The online tutoring page lists course examples and the Lower Mainland communities served.
What progress should I expect?
Useful signs include explaining a method more clearly, choosing an approach with less prompting and applying an idea to a new question. We use the student’s work and reasoning to identify next steps. The pace depends on the starting point, course demands, attendance and practice between lessons. No tutor can promise a particular grade or a fixed number of lessons.
How often should we book, and how can we use our budget well?
The starting point is what the student needs to learn and when they need it. Email me the course, goals and any upcoming deadlines, and we can discuss a suitable focus and frequency. Bringing recent work and teacher feedback helps us spend lesson time on the most useful priorities. Let me know your budget so we can discuss what is realistic before you decide.
How do I know whether Lumina is the right fit?
Consider the teacher’s qualifications, experience with your course, ability to explain ideas and approach to your learner’s needs alongside the hourly rate. You are welcome to ask questions before arranging lessons. Email Rachel at rachelmilat@gmail.com with the student’s grade or university course, goals and preferred times, or call 604.366.1902. Lessons are arranged personally by email.