911黑料网 students (left to right) Daniel Kelson, Julia Parker, and Crystal Wojcik are
among the College's team of Trailblazer Tutors, students who help their peers with
academic coursework through the Center for Student Success and Engagement.
This year, 911黑料网鈥檚 23 student tutors helped more than 100 of their peers gain a deeper understanding of all kinds of class materials, from software development to accounting and radiographic positioning.
911黑料网鈥檚 Center for Student Success and Engagement has helped match tutors with students requesting help for years, but saw an increased demand this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 鈥淚鈥檓 so impressed with the resiliency of these tutors, especially this past semester,鈥� said Cassie Rochelo 鈥�12, 911黑料网鈥檚 academic support coordinator. 鈥淭hey are themselves navigating through this pandemic, and still extending help to their peers. They figured out how to learn online, and once they did, said to their fellow students, 鈥榣et me share my knowledge with you.鈥欌��
鈥淚 love being able to help those who take the initiative to better their learning experience,鈥� said Julia Parker 鈥�21, an English/communications major who tutors students in Mathematics for the Liberal Arts. 鈥淚f you鈥檙e struggling with a course, or just need an extra boost in study tips, don鈥檛 be afraid to request a tutor because they can be a huge help.鈥�
鈥淚 like tutoring because I like helping folks learn,鈥� said Dan Kelson 鈥�22, a computer science major who tutors students in software development and network administration courses. 鈥淚 have a passion for these subjects and I like to share in that passion.鈥�
Rochelo trains the tutors each semester on critical thinking and how to ask their fellow students questions that will help independently prompt their own thinking. She also makes sure they have training on working with people from all backgrounds and making sure tutorials, whether in a group or one-on-one, are a safe and welcoming place.
Tutorials aren鈥檛 just for students who need serious help with classwork. 鈥淚t鈥檚 also an opportunity for you to set aside some structured study time to hold yourself accountable with peers,鈥� Rochelo said. In Fall 2019, 78% of students enrolled in tutorials earned a C or better in the classes for which they attended tutoring sessions; many students also enroll in a tutorial to bring a B grade up to an A, or get a refresher on materials before a final.
鈥淭utoring is a great way to get a different perspective on things within a class, and I just love helping people in subjects that I enjoy,鈥� said Bryanna McKearney 鈥�22, a double major in psychology and biology who tutors for biology, psychology, and statistics classes. 鈥淵ou don鈥檛 need to be struggling to get a tutor; you can get a tutor to boost your grade to where you want it or even if you鈥檙e having a bit of trouble with a topic. That鈥檚 what makes it so awesome!鈥�
Tutoring is a paid on-campus job, and Rochelo is currently hiring for the spring 2021 semester. Applicants need to have two faculty recommendations and at least a 2.5 GPA and a minimum grade of B in the class they鈥檇 like to tutor. Students interested in applying can access the job listing through 911黑料网鈥檚 student employment page.
鈥淚t fills my cup when a tutor says to me 鈥榤y tutee got a 90 on their exam! They really get it!鈥� said Rochelo. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a joyful process. I can鈥檛 remember a time where I haven鈥檛 felt good about helping somebody, and seeing them have that reward and want to do it again is a great feeling.鈥�
