The Role of the Tutor

1. Promotion of independent learning
   • Don't do it for them; don't just tell them the answer; help lead them to getting the answer on their own.
   • You are a "facilitator, one who aids another's efforts; you are not an explainer, one who tells another, nor are you a surrogate, one who does for another".
   • The client should be holding the pencil, marking up their own paper, fixing errors, working the problem.
   • We don't proofread; we point out a common error and ask them, "now can you see other places where you left out the capital letter?" Let them fix it.
   • If they don't know where to begin, help lead them through it step by step.
   • Help the student become less dependent on you.
2. Personalizing instruction
   • Instructors usually don't have the time to work one-on-one with students: a tutor does. You'll know better if the student is getting it or not and will be able to focus on the needed area.
3. Facilitating client insight into the learning process
   • Not "let me show you how to do it", but "Well, how would YOU start?". Throw it back to the client.
   • Not "here's the information", but "where do you think you could find that information?".
   • Don't give them the fish; teach them how to fish.
4. Providing a student perspective on learning and school success
   • A tutor may have taken this class and this very teacher and should be able to share with the client the pitfalls of the class and the difficult areas. (But don't undermine the teacher -word will get back.)
   • Tutors can share the learning strategy they used to succeed in the class.
   • You are a good model of a successful student for our clients.
5. Respecting individual differences
   • You will be working with students from many different nationalities, cultures, religions, and political beliefs. Just because they are at a different point than you are academically, does not make them flawed or inferior.
   • We all are in the student role and the teacher role at different times in our lives; our students often end up teaching us things.
6. When the tutoring is not going well
   • "Motivation results from the internalized feeings of success at meaningful tasks. The more success, the higher the motivation".
   • Your responsibility is to do your best you can to help the student succeed.
     • False praise is insulting; give appropriate affirmation in the context of something accomplished well; use sparingly.
     • Structure the session so that the student has the best chance to succeed.
     • Sometimes tutoring has been suggested because faculty and counselors "don't have a clue" about what to do with the student. You can't solve everyone's problems.
     • Sometimes the gap is too great. Do your best.
7. Limits of the Tutor's Role
   • You are not an expert in handling client's personal problems (emotional, financial, medical, criminal). Make referrals to the right group on campus that can help. Start with your supervisor. Ask for help.
   • If the student is too upset to stay on task, it might be better to reschedule.
   • You must say "no" when asked to do inappropriate things by clients or by faculty.
   • When in doubt, see your supervisors; it is their job to "take the heat".
8. Hats Tutors Wear:
   • The Ally : sympathetic, warm, encouraging, supportive and helpful.
   • The Coach: doesn't do the actual work, but keeps in mind the progress of the entire game and offers tips.
   • The Commentator: is an honest broker (esp. in writing) of an audience reaction to a student's work.
   • The Collaborator: the student should be the author of his work, but it's okay to offer SOME ideas, esp. if things are coming together nicely.
   • The "Expert": you probably know more than the student, but if you are over your head, admit it and get help.
   • The Counselor : student will share stuff with you of their personal lives. As stated above: Make referrals to the right group on campus that can help. Examples: ESL support club, medical and mental health issues at the campus nurse, financial problems with campus financial aid, general academic problems go to counselors, professors, department chairs. Know where to look up appropriate campus service for students with problems.
9. Be Professional
   • Show up on time and prepared.
   • Give the client your full attention
   • Show consideration to students and staff
   • Honor confidentiality
10. What a Tutor Does and Does Not Do