Prospective Tutors
Prospective Tutors
Why Tutor?
Everyone has a different answer and motivation for why they tutor.
Some of our tutors have formally or informally tutored someone before joining the Study Jam team or have utilized active tutoring in the past. Some really like meeting new people in their majors and like working with others on challenging subject matter. Some like the consistent hours and the pay. Some are considering graduate studies in education or advanced degrees in their fields. Most find their subjects fascinating and can't get enough. On some level, many are looking to boost resumes or prep for entry exams. They all want to help.
Most tutors simply want to help others think through how to solve problems on their own.
Peak Hire Seasons
We hire most of our tutors in August, December, January and April for the academic year. If you are interested in tutoring with Study Jam, make sure you let the instructor know. We ask them directly for tutor recommendations. Some also keep a list to distribute to students upon request.
Ideally, we hire tutors for the full academic year, but are always happy to interview a tutor who might only be around for a semester.
Job Description
Study Jam tutors are undergraduate students and graduate students who provide on-site group tutoring to UM students. Tutors bring a high-level of academic success and familiarity with the academic rigor of high-stakes coursework.
Tutors are responsible for recruiting, preparing and facilitating group tutoring for students in a number of disciplines and classes at UM. Tutors must remain current with classroom learning objectives, practices and trends in order to evaluate and improve the individual tutoring approaches. Study Jam is a free tutoring resource open to all campus members. Therefore, tutors must adapt to diverse cultural and student backgrounds to effectively assist students in subject acquisition. Tutors work 5 hours per week for the academic semester during evening group tutoring sessions. Tutors must demonstrate comprehensive and successful communication and explanation of complex concepts, formulas, and nuances dictated by the subject matter in a high-traffic, group environment. The group setting for this service does not accommodate one-on-one assistance and so the individual must also ensure that all attendees receive assistance.
Qualifications
- Completed the courses they will tutor with a B or better, have an undergraduate degree, or current enrollment in a graduate program that demonstrates mastery of course content;
- Cumulative GPA of a 3.0 or better;
- Faculty endorsement from the instructor of the course they will tutor.
Application Guidelines
To apply, send a tailored resume and email of interest to shannon.janssen@mso.umt.edu. Please include the Study Jam supported courses you are interested in tutoring.
Note that applicants will not be interviewed without an accompanying faculty endorsement.
Faculty Endorsement
Study Jam requires all applicants to submit a faculty endorsement from the instructor of the classes they hope to tutor or from the departmental chair. We do this to ensure tutors have a direct tie to the department and that tutoring aligns with instructor determined learning objectives.
Instructional Faculty, please use this form to endorse the applicants for Study Jam employment or email shannon.janssen@mso.umt.edu directly.
Tutor Training Course
All Study Jam tutors are required to enroll in a variable credit internship (HONR 398: Internship: Academic Tutoring) through the Davidsons Honors College. Students do not have to be enrolled in the Honors college to work as a Study Jam tutor or to register for the internship. Tutors from other campus tutoring programs are also welcome to enroll. Upon completion, Study Jam tutors will receive a $0.50 wage increase.
Course Purpose
This internship prepares undergraduates to tutor at the college level through an interdisciplinary and theoretical approach focusing on tutor preparedness, group management, teaching strategies, resource awareness and utilization, and professionalism.
Course Objectives
Participants in this course will be able to:
- Translate effective, discipline-based learning strategies and approaches into tutoring.
- Develop personal tutoring strategies.
- Apply knowledge of campus resources and support services to make appropriate referrals.
- Discuss striations of learning and college preparedness and practice multifaceted tutoring approaches.
- Establish an inclusive, multicultural environment in which students develop an appreciation of diversity.
- Demonstrate improved content knowledge and academic success in tutored courses.
- Become flexible learners (i.e., active, independent, and collaborative), enabling them to adapt to different learning environments.
- Learn and practice ethical standards of academic and social conduct.