Amidst the several workshops that the Center for Learning Resources holds daily, the CLR’s director, Debbie Malewicki, has ensured that the hard-working tutors on her staff do not go without recognition. This past week, the voting polls for the Tutor Awards just closed and it is soon to be announced which tutors had the most impact on the students they have aided.
Also, the CLR awards ceremonies were held on April 5, where the tutors who completed a 15-course training were acknowledged as Level 1 tutors. This year there were 18 tutors who completed the lengthy training on subjects such as different learning styles and note taking. While most people are turned off by the appeal of being a tutor, sophomore Accounting Major Noumso Kaba gave her insight on the joys of being a CLR tutor.
Samantha Salvio: When did you become a CLR tutor?
Noumso Kaba: Fall 2012, at the beginning of my sophomore year.
SS: What subjects do you help tutor for?
NK: Accounting and Q.A. courses
SS: What was your motivation to become a tutor?
NK: I realized that it was easy to share and pass on my knowledge about a subject to friends or classmates that asked me for help. I enjoyed when the person I was helping finally reached that “Ahhh” moment, that spark moment when a concept became clear to them and the relief that spread across their face. Also, I thought it would be easier for a student in need to approach a fellow peer who recently took the course before them, rather than their professor, and would be able to give them relatable examples that may make more sense.
SS: What do you personally gain from being a tutor?
NK: The more that I tutor people on a specific concept, the more I get a deeper understanding for it. Also, I find satisfaction in being able to be a part of someone else’s progress and excel to the next leveled course. On a different note, tutoring has given me the opportunity to meet all different kinds of people and learn different learning styles which has further developed my interpersonal skills.
SS: What do you feel is the most difficult for you as a tutor?
NK: I’m used to working with two students at a time, but there has been a time when there were seven students at my table all at the same time. The difficulty came from the fact that not all of them wanted help for the same class and I didn’t know what to do initially. After taking a breather, I grouped the students wanting help in the same course together and gave each group examples to work on as I tried to give everyone the help they needed.
SS: How would you describe the environment at the CLR?
NK: It really is a friendly environment and everyone is nice. All the tutors interact with each other as well as the students, and are all enthusiastic characters. We definitely are not anti-social in any way and try to promote a comfortable and relaxed environment.
SS: How would you advertise the CLR in order to encourage more students to utilize the CLR?
NK: I would focus on the knowledge the tutors have about their subjects, and to keep in mind that the tutors also took the same courses that they help tutor in now. While also getting at least an A- in the courses they tutor in, they thoroughly enjoy that subject and can influence the student to try harder and create a positive environment. The CLR provides a wide range of tutoring help for all majors and the environment here is always positive and relaxed.
SS: Do you have any regrets in becoming a tutor?
NK: I can’t think of anything that I would change about my experiences as a tutor. I have learned a lot about other people and about myself. I even get to refresh my memory in courses I took three semesters ago. I would call it a win-win situation.
It would seem the CLR isn’t a bad place to be. If you also like helping your peers with course work, applications to become a CLR tutor open April 15 for the fall term.
