Peer Tutoring: Tip 4

Charlie here, again, with tip 4 for peer tutors!

Tip #4: Don't borrow from your tutee.
Yes, I know, another common sense tip, but, again, you'd be shocked how many peer tutors I have worked with who have borrowed from their peer tutees.  Even worse, many of them have forgotten to return the borrowed items.

The thing about peer tutoring is that, as the name suggests, you are working with a peer, maybe even a long time school friend.  This can lead to scenarios in which a tutor is so comfortable with the tutee on a friendship level that he/she starts acting more like a friend and less like a tutor. 

I knew one tutor who borrowed $1 from his tutee when he peer tutored back in high school.  The problem was that the tutor repeatedly forgot to pay the tutee back, the school year came to an end, and the tension between the two of them got so bad that they could not work together over the summer.  All that over $1. 

Another tutor I know borrowed a CD from his tutee, accidentally left it in the hot car during the tutoring session, and ruined it.  The tutee didn't want to say anything, and it led to some awkwardness. 

Still another tutor I knew borrowed school supplies from the tutee during every session (pencil lead, erasers, paper, folders, etc.).  This made the tutor seem frazzled and disorganized, and he did not get a very good review at the end of the semester.

No matter what the item is, or how much money it is, never borrow from your tutee.  Borrowing anything at all can make you look a lot less professional, and could even cause some unwanted tension in the future.  Sure, on occasion you may need to quickly borrow a pencil sharpener, or even a pencil, during the session, but make sure to return it, and remember extra pencils/a pencil sharpener for your next session.  Be prepared so that you can avoid borrowing anything. 

Well, that's it for now.  Stay tuned for Tip #5, coming soon!

Peer Tutoring: Tip 3

Hi, Charlie here, again, with peer tutoring tip #3, and this one is all about using your common sense!

Tip #3: Don't Be Late!
I know, common sense, right?  But you would be surprised how many people I have known during my years of tutoring who show up 5, 10, even 20 minutes late for their own tutoring sessions. 

Tutors who are on time are showing their tutees that they are taking their tutoring duties seriously.  Punctual tutors are also showcasing the fact that they are professional, enthusiastic, and eager to help their tutees learn.  In contrast, a tutor who is chronically late to tutoring sessions gives the impression that he/she doesn't care enough about the tutee, or the tutoring, to make it to the session on time. 

So try to be on time for every one of your tutoring sessions.  If you're running late for some unavoidable reason, make sure to let your tutee, or the person in charge of the tutoring sessions (teacher, administrator, etc.), know as soon as possible.

Stay tuned for peer tutoring tip #4!

Peer Tutoring: Tip 2

Hi guys, Charlie again with tip #2 of 8 for peer tutors:

Tip #2: Get the Details.
Find out exactly is involved in you being a peer tutor.   What are your exact tutor job duties?  Will you be helping your peer tutee with in class work?  Will you be tutoring the skills needed to improve homework assignments?  What type of student will you be tutoring?  How is he/she performing in class?  Where will you meet to tutor?

It is next to impossible to be a successful tutor if you aren't sure who you are tutoring, where you are tutoring, or what you will be doing.

Ask the person in charge of the tutoring program about the details, get the details from him/her.   If all else fails, make a quick appointment to meet with your peer tutee, and get the details for some of the above questions from him/her.

That's it for now; Stay tuned for Peer Tutoring Tip #3!