“You must be the change you want to see in the world.”

— Mahatma Gandhi

“I know for sure that what we dwell on is who we become.”

— Oprah Winfrey

“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.”

— Nelson Mandela

“The man who removes a mountain begins by carrying away small stones.”

— Chinese Proverb

“Each one, teach one; reach back, lift as you climb!”

— Unknown

“Excellence is not an act but a habit. The things you do the most are the things you do the best.”

— Marva Collins

“Education is for improving the lives of others and for leaving your community and the world better than you found it.”

— Marian Wright Edelman

“Dedicate the precious days of your lives to the betterment of the world.”

— Bahá’u’lláh

Tutor Job Description

  • Is tutoring for you?
  • Do you enjoy helping others?
  • Are there certain classes that you really enjoyed?
  • Would you like work experience that looks good on a resume or college application?

Position Description

Provide tutoring to students seeking assistance through CARSS by staffing CARSS tutor rooms within STEM disciplines. Assist students in improving academic achievement by meeting with them on a regular basis to facilitate learning and assist the student to become a successful, independent learner. Other assistance might include: reviewing class material, discussing the text, predicting test questions, or working on solutions to problems. The purpose of tutoring is to increase and enhance mastery of concepts or applications of a specific course of study. Peer tutors integrate effective study and learning strategies to maximize the tutee’s potential for academic progress.

A few other noteworthy facts:

  • Peer Tutors are not graders, nor teaching assistants.
  • Since this service is based on student need and tutor availability, there are NO guaranteed hours.
  • Clients are UAlbany students with declared Science or Math majors who would benefit from tutoring in gateway Science and Math courses.
  • Clients do NOT pay a fee.

Requirements

  1. Be enrolled as a SUNY Albany student while tutoring.
  2. Have a B+ or better grade in the course(s) to be tutored.
  3. Maintain an overall 3.0 grade point average.
  4. Demonstrate ability to quickly establish rapport and communicate well with students.
  5. Complete required tutor training, including monthly staff meetings and supplemental training sessions.

Responsibilities

  1. Tutor students in specific course material and integrate study and learning strategies to promote independent learning.
  2. Meeting with the instructor of the course you are tutoring may be required in order to discuss your role as a tutor. Peer Tutors are not graders, nor teaching assistants.
  3. Be punctual and prepared for all scheduled tutoring sessions. It is your responsibility to notify us as soon as possible if you cannot meet with your students.
  4. Complete and hand in all required paperwork.
  5. Character traits: Responsible, dependable, and mature... Friendly, patient, and sensitive to a diversity of students.

How to Become a Peer Tutor

Application and Tutor Hiring Process

  • Complete the Tutor Application Packet that you receive from the CARSS office, or download the forms here:
    Application Form (PDF)
    Recommendation Form (PDF)
  • Submit your application to the CARSS office and schedule an interview with Mrs. Dianne Jester, the CARSS Coordinator.
  • If you have questions about the position, contact the CARSS office at 518.437.4442 or email Dianne at: djester@albany.edu. The CARSS office is located in the Life Sciences Research Building Room 1124.

Employment Information

Assignments

Under the supervision of the CARSS coordinator, tutors provide tutoring to assigned students or groups of students.

Training

All new tutors are required to complete a ten-hour tutor training course, U UNI 499 (3 credits), that includes actual tutoring time throughout the semester.

Schedule

Tutor schedules are arranged by the tutor and Dianne Jester, the CARSS coordinator. Tutors are asked to fill out a schedule of availability at the beginning of each semester. If this schedule changes, please let a staff member know.

Absences & Punctuality

If you are going to be late or absent please contact the CARSS office as soon as possible at 518.437.4442. Absences without notification will negatively impact your employment status as a tutor. Please be here and ready to work at the appointed time.

Paid Time

Tutors will be paid for actual work time of up to 10 hours per week. In addition CARSS will pay tutors for all staff meetings.

Time Sheets & Pay Information

Tutors will be required to turn in to Dianne Jester the blue Tutor Attendance Log at the end of each tutoring session. The blank form is available in the CARSS office, or can be downloaded here. It is very important to complete this form legibly & completely immediately after each session so your payroll sheet can be correctly completed. Forms that are over one week old when turned in will not be accepted. We will keep track of your hours and fill out your time sheet. Tutors are required to sign their time sheets at the CARSS office on Fridays by 5 pm. Paychecks can be picked up at the Chemistry Department main office (CHM 123) after 10:30 am on Fridays (minus the lunch hour) according to the UAlbany Research Foundation pay schedule.

Record Keeping

An integral part of this program is the monitoring of the number of students within each STEM discipline who avail themselves of the services offered by CARSS. Consequently an important aspect of tutor responsibility will be to insure that the number and identity of students who are served is appropriately recorded. To this end tutors will be expected to make sure that all tutees check in each time they are served.

Tutor Work Area & Atmosphere

Please help us keep the CARSS office orderly, clean and quiet. It is essential that noise be kept to a minimum.

Behavior

Please conduct yourself in a professional manner. Be aware of your style of communication, language, and behavior. All students and staff need to be treated with respect and dignity. Failure to do so will impact your status as a tutor.

Dress & Grooming

While we do not have a "dress code" we do expect you to dress appropriately for the position (i.e. avoid "dressing to distract"). Personal hygiene is important since you are working in close quarters.

Evaluations

Your performance as a tutor will be evaluated during the semester. Any concerns regarding your evaluation will be discussed with you and appropriate recommendations will be made.

Peer Tutors are evaluated in accordance with the following procedures:

  • Tutor Evaluation and Self Assessment Tool (TESAT) taken during the initial training and at the mid-point of the semester. Tutors are expected to draft notes reflecting upon their progress as a tutor and be prepared to discuss this and the results of the Tutee Feedback form during their supervision sessions.
  • Tutee Feedback Form ("How Are We Doing at CARSS?") filled out by the tutees intermittently during the semester.
  • For all peer tutors, a CARSS staff member will observe at least one tutoring session each semester and meet with the tutor following the session.
  • Peer Tutor Evaluation Report - A CARSS staff member meets with each Peer Tutor to discuss their self-evaluation and any submitted Tutee Feedback Forms. Tutors receive a written evaluation reflecting the information recorded during the observation of their tutoring session. The results of the evaluation are used to assist you in your development as a tutor and to focus on further training/supervision topics to build your confidence and skill.
  • Tutors are asked to provide an evaluation of their experience as a tutor each semester. Tutor feedback is valued and is essential to the decision-making process for determining needed program adjustments to enhance the quality of our service.

Problems & Conflicts

If you are experiencing difficulties during or as a result of your tutor assignment, please see the CARSS office staff to work out a solution.

Failure to comply with the information above may result in the termination of your status as a tutor. Tutors are hired as temporary hourly employees on an as needed basis and are not considered permanent employees of the University at Albany.

The Tutor Code

We do.....

…explain concepts that students have difficulty understanding.
…use alternate methods of explaining content and give examples that may help students better understand.
…share successful study strategies based on experience and training.
…believe a student's work should reflect their own ability.
…give positive reinforcement - help students become more confident in their own abilities.
…honor the privacy of the client.

We do NOT.....

…do assignments for students - including lead them through assignments.
…assist in take home exams.
…grade assignments or discuss assigned grades.
…attempt to judge the acceptability of completed assignments from the instructor's point of view.
…comment on an instructor's grading policy, teaching style, or personality.
…proof read drafts of papers, although we may read for logic and clarity.
…discuss client's progress, achievements or abilities with others.

Training

  • Four 2.5 hour sessions at the beginning of each semester, followed by the provision of no less than 25 hours of actual tutoring over the course of the semester.
  • Textbook purchased through bookstore as a course requirement (The Master Tutor: A Guidebook for More Effective Tutoring).
  • If you are unable to accommodate the training in your schedule, it will not be possible for you to serve as a tutor.

Tutoring locations

At the present time, all tutoring sessions take place in the CARSS Center, LI 70.

We are located in the basement level, underneath the Main Library, between the Office of Academic Support Services and the Computer Science Department. Take the stairs from the podium level on the north side of the Library building (the right side as you are looking at the main entrance) that go down into the courtyard area. Enter the door underneath the stairs and follow the signs to the right for LI 70, down the corridor on the left.

Tutoring Forms