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

— Mahatma Gandhi

“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 to acquire 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, designing 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 or intended Science majors who would benefit from tutoring in gateway Science courses.
  • Clients do NOT pay a fee.

Requirements

  1. Have a B+ or better grade in the course(s) to be tutored.
  2. Maintain an overall 3.0 grade point average.
  3. Demonstrate ability to quickly establish rapport and communicate well with students.
  4. Have on file a recommendation letter from a faculty member who can testify to your proficiency with the material you wish to tutor.
  5. Complete required tutor training course. (ACAS 498)
  6. Sit for an interview with CARSS staff.
  7. Attend mandatory 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. 
  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, and encourage tutees  to do the same.
  5. Character traits: responsible, dependable, and mature... friendly, patient, and sensitive to the needs of a diverse student population.

How to Become a Peer Tutor

Training, Application and Tutor Hiring Process

  • All undergraduates who wish to serve as CARSS tutors are required to take a training course in order to be trained to be an effective CARSS tutor. The course is: ACAS 498, STEM Tutoring, and is 3 credits
  • Following completion of the course, a CARSS Tutor Application form should be completed. Application 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 LI 70.

Employment Information

Assignments

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

Scheduling

Tutor schedules are arranged by the tutor and Dianne Jester, the CARSS coordinator. Tutors are asked to consult with Dianne at the beginning of each semester to arrange their tutoring hours that accommodate the dates and times during which the corresponding lecture course is offered.

Absences & Punctuality

If you anticipate being 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 present and ready to start work shortly before your session is scheduled to start..

Paid Time

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

Time Sheets & Pay Information

Tutors will be required to submit to Dianne Jester the Tutor Attendance Log at the end of each tutoring session. It is very important to complete this form legibly & completely immediately after each session so that your payroll sheet can be duly completed. Tutors are required to fill out their time sheets at the CARSS office every other Friday by 5 pm.

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 your responsibility as a tutor will be to ensure that the number and identity of students who are served is appropriately recorded. Ensuring that each student present at your session completes a Student Feedback Form at the end of each session is critical to the success of CARSS operations.

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 negatively 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:

  • 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.
  • Tutee Feedback Form filled out by CARSS students each time they attend a study group or review sessions. The CARSS coordinator will share student feedback with tutors regularly through emails or personal meetings.
  • Tutor meetings during the semester provide opportunities for tutors to give feedback to CARSS regarding their experiences and insights they have gained from their tutoring experience. Suggestions for improvement of the CARSS program are also noted.

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

  • Prospective undergraduate tutors are required to take a three credit tutor training course.  ACAS 498, STEM Tutors, assists potential tutors to develop techniques to facilitate group and individual tutoring sessions for Science foundation courses offered through the departments of Biology, Physics and Chemistry. Course components are: formal training in tutoring processes, study skills, and learning strategies; seminars on related topics;  and monitored tutoring throughout the semester. S/U graded.

 

  • Prerequisite(s): previous enrollment in course to be tutored; a B+ or better in that course; and overall 3.0 grade point average; a letter of recommendation from the professor from whom you took the course.

 

  • During the course, besides the seminars, 2/3 of the semester you would be tutoring 1-2 students for CARSS. At the end of the course, if you choose, you could apply to tutor for CARSS the following semester as a paid tutor. An interview is also required. Not all students choose to apply to tutor for CARSS following the course, but all are welcome to apply and sit for an interview.

 

  • 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.

CARRS Location

Click here to download a pdf of map above

Tutoring Forms