Tutor do's and dont's

1. Tutor Training
Do's and Don’ts
Fall 2021

2. For Embedded Tutors
For Supplemental Instruction Assistants
For Para-professional/Professional Tutors
To serve students effectively!
What is the main objective?

3. …introduce yourself
and set expectations.
…assume the work as
your own.
Do... Don't...
To serve students effectively...

4. …encourage
participation.
…encourage passivity.
Do... Don't...
To serve students effectively...

5. …let students do most
of the talking/typing.
…talk/type too much.
Do... Don't...
To serve students effectively...

6. …ask open-ended
questions.
…ask questions that
elicit "yes" or "no"
answers.
Do... Don't...
To serve students effectively...

7.  How might you begin a session?
 How can you encourage participation?
 Give an example of an open-ended question for your
subject(s)?
Let's practice!

8. …allow moments of
silence while students
work.
…rush to solve
problems to end the
"silence."
Do... Don't...
To serve students effectively...

9. …recognize and
seize opportunities to
build confidence.
…make statements
alluding to the
simplicity of the
material.
Do... Don't...
To serve students effectively...

10. …review tests and
homework without
judgment.
…exclusively focus on
the negative/incorrect
answers.
Do... Don't...
To serve students effectively...

11. …review fundamentals
often.
…assume students
have a solid
understanding of the
material.
Do... Don't...
To serve students effectively...

12.  How might you be able to build confidence for a student in a
tutoring session/open session/supplemental instruction?
 A student asks to review a graded homework assignment on
which he earned 50%. How might you begin the session?
Let's practice!

13. …repeat information
often.
…expect that students
will digest information
immediately.
Do... Don't...
To serve students effectively...

14. …admit when you
don't know the answer.
(Remember: You can
transfer if necessary.)
…misrepresent
yourself as an expert.
Do... Don't...
To serve students effectively...

15. …allow students to
voice their frustration.
Empathize!
…criticize instructors
or take sides if students
have conflicts with
faculty/staff.
Do... Don't...
To serve students effectively...

16. …listen closely to
students and refer them
to other Montco
services as needed.
…attempt to deliver
services outside of
tutoring!
Do... Don't...
To serve students effectively...

17.  How might you respond to a question that you are not
comfortable helping with?
 A student comes into a tutoring session and blames the
instructor for her low grade. How might you respond?
 During a session, a student discloses the he or she had an IEP
in high school many years ago. Where can you refer the
student?
Let's practice!

18.  A student mentions anxiety several times throughout your
session. How can you help?
 A student is having a hard time gathering sources for a paper
or presentation. Where might you refer him or her?
 A student has expressed concerns about not "fitting in" or
feeling a part of campus. Which office should you refer this
student to?
Let's make some more referrals.