1. Rank these in order of importance in your work as a tutor. Say why and what aspects, specifically, are important in each area.

q People skills     2

q Content knowledge        3

  1. q TJ’s systems (TutorTrac, Kronos, TJ’s 24, etc.)       6

q Creativity         4

q Communication w/faculty             5

q Knowledge about learning process             1

(So.,.

The most important in this work is knowledge about learning process because in order to teach something you must understand how the student is learning

The 2nd most important is people skills because working with people at all requires that you be comfortable communicating with them.

The 3rd most important is content knowledge because in order to teach something you yourself must have at least a better grasp on the subject matter than the person whom you are teaching.

The 4th most important is creativity because every student is different and you must change you style and approach in order to be as effective as possible for that student.

The 5th most important is is communication with faculty, because you have to understand what the teachers are trying to get across in the classroom in order to help the student in the class.

6th is the TJ’s systems, is very important and helps organize the tutors and more efficiently help the students.

2. Rate yourself in respect to doing your job and following TJ’s systems. Why? In which areas?

Mostly undependable — Sometimes iffy — Mostly Responsible — Super worker

I felt that I followed the TJ’s systems with few problems, logging in and out and filling out my paperwork.  If I had a problem with anything I corrected it and was rarely late to an appointment and always flexible.  My post session paper work was some what weak in my notes section primarily because I wrote many of my notes on students paper in order for it to be easier to see for them.

3. How could TJ’s make your life as a tutor easier or better?

The only thing I think could make things easier is to allow tutors, with in reason, say 6 hours prior or earlier, to change/move/or cancel appointments.  The tutors are students as well and tests and projects may arise and being able to manage their own appointments easier would be convenient.

4. Briefly mention what you learned/discovered from training: crash and staff meetings

I learned how to better help others and even how to improve my own studying, asking myself questions rather than seeing a professor so that I myself understand how a process works and not merely the answer to a single problem.

5. What have you learned on the job as a tutor?

I learned that there are many hard working students that just need a little helping hand and how rewarding it can be to be a tutor, both for helping others and teaching the material to yourself.

6. If you could change one thing about these courses, what would it be?

I  felt that the courses were very effective, however I would love to see professors from each department come and speak to tutors just briefly about what they would like and/or tips on teaching.

7. If you could change one thing about TJ’s systems, what would it be?

The already mention increased availability to change of appointments for tutors, as well as keeping better track of what exactly is going on or happened at an appointment.  This would allow tutors to better prepare and TJ’s and the professors to see what problem areas are.

8. For good or ill, what two things stand out about this year/semester in tutoring?

I receive a comment card/evaluation that made my semester.  Saying that I was the best tutor that the student had had and they felt that I really could explain the subject in a way they got.

9. We are now asking tutor applicants to respond to the challenges they may (will probably, as we know) face on the job. Please answer them yourselves, now that you’ve been tutoring for at least a semester.

What would you do if… (what did you do when…)

…you didn’t know the answer? The student and I searched notes and the book and if we still couldn’t find it I suggested that they see their professor sometime.

…you realize the student did not have the background knowledge he needed to do the work?  I would ask them to read the section in the book and to feel free and ask me if they were stuck on a topic.

…the student is not prepared for the tutoring session? Again I would ask them to read the material for the session and ask me anytime they were confused on a topic.

…the student wanted you to do his/her work for you? I told them to work on it and if they got stuck I would give them hints to help them figure it out for themselves.

Any other challenging situations come to mind? What did you/would you do? I think each department sees various problems that are characteristic of their department, I would suggest that biology tutors reread along side the courses they tutor and that chem tutors get material from the professors to practice problems.

10. If you have been another sort of peer educator (peer mentor, RA, LEAD team, etc), what in that training would you like to see in tutor training? …what in our training would you like to see in that training?

I haven’t been but I feel the basic topics such as teaching the student how to help themselves and not just helping them would be good.