3 Minutes on a Park Bench with ​Jeffrey Frichner of Tutor Doctor

We emailed Patch partner Jeffrey Frichner of Tutor Doctor of Temecula Valley and he shared three questions parents should ask when looking for the right tutor for their child.

Patch: What does Tutor Doctor of Temecula Valley have planned for the 2016-2017 school year?

Jeffrey Frichner: The buzz about Tutor Doctor in Southwest Riverside County has been exciting. Our commitment to quality education and the excellent results we provide for families and their students is something every family wants. Our biggest challenge is getting the word out that our program works for every student because of the care we take in matching the student with the perfect tutor for his or her needs. We now have tutors for every subject and grade level, and we are excited about partnering directly with some of our local schools.

Patch: How did you first get involved in education?

Jeffrey Frichner: As parents of four children, our family has been fully committed to education for over 25 years. My oldest graduated last year from Cornell University in Ithaca, New York and two of his younger siblings attend California Polytechnic in San Luis Obispo, California. All of our kids, including the youngest who is a high school sophomore, have achieved straight A’s. The key for us has always been to stress character development and to help each of our students discuss their personal passion and purpose for their lives. Thankfully they all love learning, as do I. To set a good example, I personally went back to school two years ago and received my Masters in Business Administration.

Patch: If you had to recommend someone three books, what would they be and why?

Jeffrey Frichner: The first book, which got me to fall in love with reading, was "The Brothers Karamazov" by famous Russian writer Fyodor Dostoevsky. This is an epic story about three brothers who couldn’t be more different and each of their trials and tribulations. It was sometimes a delight, and other times extremely painful, to live vicariously through each of their life choices. The most important book for me is The Bible, which I dove into reading several times while I served in the U.S. Marine Corps. It is the rock of my faith and I continue to reflect on scripture, which has helped me through every one of life’s difficulties. I am currently reading Austrian Economist Ludwig von Mises’ "Theory & History," which is a wonderfully complex treatise on the pros and cons of capitalism, socialism, individualism, collectivism and just about every other economic worldview.

Patch: Can you tell us a little bit about Tutor Doctor's mission?

Jeffrey Frichner: Our approach is one of customization, understanding each student’s learning style so we can precisely match the right tutor for his or her situation.

Patch: What was the best education advice you ever received?

Jeffrey Frichner: I am an audio learner and I did not do well throughout middle and high school. Most public education is taught for visual learners and I lost interest because my teachers did not understand my learning style. I would actually get in trouble for closing my eyes in class even though that’s the way I learn best. It wasn’t until I understood that my learning process differed from most other students that I was able to succeed. I went back to school in my late twenties and excelled from that point on. In Mises’ "Theory and History," he talks about students who accomplish great things much later in life. I’m just happy I never gave up on myself when others may have seemed to give up on me. That’s a message I communicate to every one my students: “Never give up on yourself.”

Patch: Can you tell us about Tutor Doctor of Temecula Valley's history?

Jeffrey Frichner: We are now operating in 20 countries and have now tutored over 200,000 students, but every student is a unique person with individual needs and academic goals.

Patch: How are you involved in the Temecula Valley community?

Jeffrey Frichner: Through Tutor Doctor I am able to give back by helping to mentor students to hopefully become winners not just in the classroom, but also in life. I’ve been the public address announcer for varsity football and basketball at Rancho Christian High School in Temecula since its founding.

Patch: What type of student would be right for Tutor Doctor of Temecula Valley?

Jeffrey Frichner: We believe that thanks to the rigorous process we follow in matching students to compatible tutors, we can help any student in any situation. Of course, there are issues that may arise. But this generally only occurs when a student’s schedule is just too packed or if the family is hoping for a quick fix. Mentorship takes time, and the dividends from working with a committed tutor only increase in the long run. We have found that when this process is implemented properly, it leads to better grades and test scores, more college acceptance letters, and well-adjusted students who will be just as successful outside of the classroom as they are inside.

Patch: What three questions should parents ask when looking for the right tutor for their child?

Jeffrey Frichner: Personally, our family began every year of children’s education with reminding ourselves with the scripture Proverbs 22:6: "Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it." Of course, you want the best for your student, but be open to new modalities and opportunities for learning. My council would be to trust your instincts and conscience. Become as involved as possible in their education plan and don’t entirely trust others. You know what is best for your children.

Patch: What makes Tutor Doctor of Temecula Valley stand out from the competition?

Jeffrey Frichner: Honestly, I don’t think we have any competition. We view all other educators as partners and we are thrilled when students are the big winners. Unfortunately, not every teacher or tutor will get your student, and many students have trouble in a group-learning environment. This is where our approach is unique. One-on-one tutoring is Tutor Doctor’s bedrock. Every student has a different learning style and addressing his or her needs individually is almost always a home run with the right tutor.

Patch: How can readers contact you or learn more about Tutor Doctor of Temecula Valley?

Jeffrey Frichner: You can contact Jeffrey Frichner (Education Director) at jeffreyf@tutordoctor.com or by phone (951) 428-4100. Our web site is tutordoctor.com/temecula