Tutoring

What can you expect when you come for tutoring? Tutors will not edit or proofread your papers for you, nor will they do your math homework. Rather than do your thinking for you, they will work together with you. Their goal is to help you become a better editor, and to help you understand and improve your process of writing or solve math problems. They introduce strategies so that you can become a better, more confident student.

Three Ways to See a Tutor:

• Use our drop-in hours, 10-4 Monday through Thursday and Friday 10-3.  Sign-in at the Reception Desk and you will have a 30-minute session, no appointment necessary.
  
• Get help proactively (ahead of time) and call or stop by to schedule a one-hour appointment.  We schedule appointments one week in advance.
  
• If you know you will need consistent help throughout the quarter, sign up for a weekly standing appointment.  We have a limited supply of this helpful service, so come early in the quarter and make sure you will be able to attend each hourly session (you can only cancel once).

How to Get the Most from Tutoring

Be Positive
Set goals and work toward achieving these goals. Focus on what you can control, not what you cannot control.

Be Prompt
Be on time for tutoring appointments. Most appointments are twenty-five to fifty-five minutes long. If a student is late, the tutor will wait for fifteen minutes. After that, he or she may take another student, and you will have to schedule another appointment.

Be Prepared
Bring your textbook, class notes, a copy of your assignment, graded exams, and a calculator for math and statistics tutoring.

Be Focused
Have a goal for each tutoring session and let your tutor know what your goals and expectations are.

Be Cooperative
Tell your tutor what areas present the largest challenges or difficulties for you and listen thoughtfully to the tutor's suggestions for ways that you can improve your skills.

Be Current with Assignments
Read assignments given by your instructor before your scheduled appointment, so you can be prepared to describe any difficulty you are having to your tutor. Attempt to understand as much as you can from the text and your notes before seeing the tutor.

The subjects offered for tutoring may change. Drop-in tutoring is limited or may not be available. Students who miss two appointments without prior notification or cancel two appointments within one academic quarter will lose their SCAA privileges. A cancellation must be made at least 24 hours in advance, or it will be considered as a missed appointment. We reserve the right to reschedule appointments if necessary.

How to become a tutor

Do you have excellent skills in English, math, or statistics?  Are you an effective communicator who enjoys explaining and sharing information with others?  Would you like to be part of an incredible team of smart, fun, and helpful peer tutors?

Consider a part-time job as a SCAA tutor!

As a tutor, you will have an opportunity to help students by promoting their learning, to gain a deeper understanding of the subject matter you tutor, and to strengthen your communication and leadership skills. The experience looks great on your resume, too.

Duties include, but are not limited to:

• Performing individual tutoring in one or more subjects throughout the quarter in area(s) of expertise
• Developing materials to supplement classroom curriculum as needed
• Reviewing class assignments as they pertain to the subject matter tutored
• Auditing classes
• Performing other duties as assigned

Hiring Criteria

• Meets Minimum Qualifications
• Good interpersonal communication skills
• Working knowledge of tutoring, teaching, and learning principles in addition to appropriate resource materials
• Ability to interact effectively with diverse populations in individual or small group settings
• Cumulative GPA of at least a 3.0
• Cumulative GPA in subject matter tutored of at least a 3.3
• Junior or senior class standing, or permission of Director
• Ability to commit to working blocks of hours
• Good organizational skills and a commitment to helping students

Must pass GS 4010, Tutoring for Learning, within one quarter of beginning employment.  Other tutor training programs (from other colleges) may satisfy this requirement.

If you meet these qualifications, please contact Jessica Weiss or Leann Christianson at (510)885-3674 for an application.

Applications must be submitted by the tenth week of the quarter preceding appointment. The number of hours available for employment of tutors will vary according to student demand.