Mesa Tutoring and Computing Centers

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Mark Manasse, PhD�MT2C Program Coordinator

mmanasse@sdccd.edu

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In this class, I have learned to be a leader, have self-confidence, and make sure to always have a positive mind set when tutoring.

I now see [tutoring] as more of a collaborative learning environment where students are able to get a more personalized experience, [and] where they're able to learn from someone who was once in their shoes…Yes, the end goal is for the tutee to become more familiar with the material, and be more independent in their learning, but the way that they're taught the material can have a huge impact on them as students.

A tutor’s responsibility is to help out a peer to the best of their ability, and doing such requires them to be mindful of different cultures and backgrounds…taking into account that the person we help might have a different understanding because of their background and perspectives. By being conscious of the shared experiences or appreciating the differences we share as peers, we are able to provide equity to our fellow peers.

In this class, I was reminded that learning puts us in a vulnerable position. This was a critical realization because it emphasized the importance of fostering a safe learning environment, and what I could do as a tutor to build one. In a zone free of judgment, the tutees can express difficulties and confusions, ask questions and clarifications, and formulate ideas and understanding freely. These activities are paramount to independent learning.

ACCJC Commendation The team commends the College’s tutoring services for its committed employees and collaborative team oriented environment that includes professionalized student tutors. (II.B.1,II.B.3)

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Achieved 3 Levels of CRLA �Programmatic Training Certification

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ACTLA Online Tutor Training Certified

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Be Kind!

I am just a tutor.

I am an educational professional, darn it!

• Subject-specific
• TACTIC
• Universal Design For Learning (UDL) and Inclusivity
• DSPS Disability Awareness
• Multilingual Assistance Tutoring
• ELAC (ESL) Across the Curriculum
• Action Research
• Leadership Theories and Styles
• Basic Needs
• ASSET^R Trauma-Informed Tutoring Support

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…With the competition of this course, I understand that being a tutor is so much more than just being the person who gives out answers to students and seeing them the next time they have a problem. I now know that it has a much deeper meaning in which you make genuine connections with the students and get to understand them as well. This course made a huge impact to how I approach tutoring now as it makes me use techniques that I had never tried to use before. Getting to know the students in a way that is deeper than just a homework problem can make the student feel more confident…I shifted as a person and as a student throughout this course as it made me realize how many other ways a person can communicate with another. It is not all just question and answer communications. …I have learned to be a leader as I now can comprehend how to take control over an educational environment and it lets me keep things in order so our main goal is accomplished at the end…empathy is great for leader[s] to understand as it puts you in the shoes of the struggling person and lets you get an idea of how they feel.

I saw that Mesa College offers not only Associate's degrees but also Bachelors degrees. Also I thought it was interesting how easy it was for someone to transfer to a 4 year institute through Mesa College. It also didn't hurt to hear that Mesa students were the most prepared students when it came to taking the educational pathway and finishing college. ..the program that stuck with me the most was the Promise program that offered 2 years of free tuition at Mesa College. I really made college sound more appealing, and made me think about being an educator more. I’ve certainly become more emotionally aware of myself and others, and I even feel like I have a bit more patience and compassion for myself and others…

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I've learned a lot and not just [about] being a tutor but genuinely being a good person…I've gained the understanding that tutoring isn't just about teaching, but about being kind…A tutor is a builder. By being a builder I mean a tutor who helps build relationships, friendships and an environment. Tutors should always look to make things better and improve things. Getting to know all this information on how to be a tutor has actually encouraged me to be a better me…[This course] has inspired me to become a teacher in the future…I never really deeply thought about actually being a teacher, until now that I'm taking this class. Taking this class has made me realize…I needed to improve on…not to be afraid of taking risks. While taking this class I realized I should loosen up. If I never try something new and exciting, I'll never be able to improve my teaching skills…

• Online STEM: Without the tutoring service I would spend hours chasing rabbit holes to find the right answer to questions I have over some of the assignments. It really helps to be able to have confidence on the answers and advice tutors have in the LRC.
• Online Humanities: Your services have been such a blessing to me and I am so very grateful they are offered, it has helped me tremendously
• In Person STEM: This is the second time I’ve gone to tutoring and I’m thankful to just be able to drop in on a session at random and not have to sign up ahead of time. Really makes tutoring more appealing because the rules are flexible. I had a good experience and appreciate having this resource.
• In Person Humanities: It was very open and friendly. The people there were more than happy to answer any question. I will be recommending this place to my classmates.

Workshop Data

• 231 Students Attended
• 67 Survey Responses
• Confidence
• Pre: 2.93
• Post: 4.49
• How Helpful: 4.31
• Motivate to apply 69%
• Overall Rating: 4.57

Workshop Outcomes

• 50 Won Awards
• $1,075 Average
• $53,736 Total (41% of scholarships)

Workshop Feedback

• I found the info session and brainstorming with the tutor both very helpful
• My questions were answered. I have never applied for a scholarship [before] so it was helpful.
• I liked how the presentation took place and how organized everything was.
• I liked that…students in the workshop were able to share our personal stories and brainstorm together.
• It encourages the student to apply and that help is there if they want.
• I liked that…the opportunity to connect with others who share similar personal experiences as each other.

MT2C helped Over 4,000 students with �Over 25,000 online and in person tutoring sessions

Student Feedback (n = 1,012 responses out of 4,325 students) �Percentage of students who rate our service 4 or 5 out of 5

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In 9 out of 10 top tutored courses, a majority of tutored students were tutored at least three times and did better than comparison groups

Helena Almassy

3CSN Learning Assistance Project

California Tutor of the Year

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Current Full Time Community College Math Professor

Raine Porter�MT2C Tutor of the Year�2021 CRLA National Tutor of the Year�2022 ACTLA Keynote Speaker

Future Community College Chemistry Professor

Successes

Software Tracking

Tutor Compensation

Apportionment

Onboarding Days

Overall Student Success

Gaps

Length of Time to Hire

Staffing

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