This document provides guidance and expectations for tutors in their pre-semester training. It outlines the structure of the training which includes both pre-semester and in-semester components. Pre-semester training prepares tutors for their first weeks, while in-semester trainings occur every Friday on topics like program insights, location-specific skills, and content refreshers. Tutors are expected to be positive, empathetic, facilitate student-centered conversations, and assist students to work problems independently. Trainings aim to develop tutors' skills through active participation, discussion, and a willingness to learn and improve. The supervisor emphasizes the importance of the tutors' roles in supporting thousands of students and looks forward to working

1. Mock Interactions Quiz Questions
 What did the tutor do well?
 What strategies/ tools did the tutor use?
 What would you try differently?
 Was the student’s problem resolved?
 How do you think the student felt?

2. Food for Thought
 Smile and remain approachable
 There is always time for friendly and considerate interactions that make students
feel welcomed
 Give each student and interaction your undivided attention
 Sometimes the lab will get very busy. Devote your time to help the student fully
before moving on. It takes less time to fully help a student once than it does to
partially help a student multiple times.
 Give each student the respect and encouragement they deserve.
 Be empathetic and encouraging
 Learning is not always easy but it can always be fun, interactive, and encouraging.
Don’t be afraid to tell student’s that the material they are working on was hard for
your too and find ways to make it personally interesting for each student.

3. Food for Thought
 When in doubt, go back to the building blocks.
 Make sure the student understands the fundamentals.
 Students may or may not have recall of concepts you are familiar with. Never
assume a student’s knowledge just because you think they “should” know
something.
 If you don’t know how to help a student, ask a fellow tutor for assistance.
 You can learn from your coworkers and you are not expected to know the anser to
every problem. You are expected to facilitate conversations that guide the student
to the answer.
 Use active listening skills to better understand what the student needs help
with. Listen. Guide. Repeat.

4. Training Structure

5. Training Structure
Training is broken into two distinct categories: Pre-Semester and
In-Semester. Here is some helpful information to get you started.
 Pre-Semester Training: Designed to give new tutors the information they need
to be successful in their first weeks of tutoring. This training will include CAPS
background, logistics, and application of information from modules.
 In-Semester trainings: Every Friday trainings are held from 3:00-5:00. The
structure changes based on the week.
 Program: Insight into the STEM team, non-content related skills practice.
 Location: Trainings designed to build teams who work at specific locations.
 Discipline: Content trainings designed to give tutors a refresher into content.
These trainings also focus on how to relate content to students in different ways
 New Employee Training (NET) and TAI: Trainings focusing on skills for new tutors
and, separately, opportunities for returners to develop and create new trainings
and initiatives.

6. Tutor Expectations
Pre-Semester Training Expectations

7. Expectations
 Be positive, empathetic, and encouraging to all students.
 Provide a learning environment that is open to all and welcomes UNM’s
diverse student population.
 Facilitate conversations related to content and encourage students to ask
questions and become advocates for their own education.
 Assist students so they can complete similar problems on their own
 Know your strengths and never be afraid to ask for help
 Be an active participant in trainings and group discussions
 Illustrate a willingness to try new things and learn new skills
 Value your skills and the skills of those around you

8. Final Thoughts
A word from your supervisor

9. “Congratulations on being selected as a STEM tutor! I look forward to working with
each and every one of you. You were selected based on your personality, fit in a
group, and your academic ability. You were selected because I believe in your ability
to support students in meaningful ways at CAPS. The STEM team assists thousands of
students every semester and your work directly impacts students on this campus.
This semester it is my goal to develop your skills to help you be the best tutors and
professionals you can be. I ask that you have similar goals in mind, facilitated by a
willingness to learn and develop through modules, trainings, and discussions
throughout the semester.
Just remember that team work makes the dream work and you are now part of an
organization which truly cares about students at UNM. I look forward to working with
each of you this year at CAPS and providing positive and encouraging support to
students at UNM.”
-Callie French, STEM Program Specialist