Student's Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Tutor/Mentor Program?
A St. Thomas service-learning program that matches UST students with kindergarten through 12th grade students for one-on-one and group tutoring at 24 public schools, parochial schools and after school programs in Minneapolis and St. Paul.
Why should I become involved?
Younger students benefit from the unique role-modeling, friendship and academic help that college students provide. College students benefit by gaining an awareness of themselves and of the diversity and richness of the community around them. Through linkages with academic programs at St. Thomas, the Tutor-Mentor Program helps students compliment, enhance, and deepen what they learn in the classroom.
When and where?
Tutors work at one of 24 schools/programs in Minneapolis or St. Paul. Monday through Thursday, from 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Carpool rides are available and arranged through the Tutor/Mentor office.
How often?
Students tutor once a week for 1.5-2 hours for 10 weeks per semester.
What would I do?
St. Thomas students serve as one-to-one tutors or small group tutors; they work with the same student or the same 2-3 students each week. At times, they work as teachers’ assistants, helping various students around the classroom. In each case, their time is spent in direct academic work with students.
What subjects can I tutor?
Elementary school: Math, Science, Language Arts and Social Studies. Junior high and high school: Math, English, Social Studies, Science and foreign languages. You can also tutor English Language Lerners (ELL) on both levels.
What will the students be like that I work with?
We work with a huge variety of students, ranging in age from 5 to 18. 60% of our tutees are students of color coming from such backgrounds as Somali, Latino, Hmong, and African-American. 65% of the children we work with are on free or reduced lunch at school. What most of them have in common is that they have experienced difficulty in the classroom and can benefit from your presence as a tutor, listener, and friend.
Are there other requirements?
Yes! New tutors must attend a one and one-half hour training session as well as a reflection session mid-semester. These training and reflection sessions are designed to help you be a better tutor by presenting information on what to expect at your placement, specific tutoring techniques, and an understanding of the different cultural groups and economic levels you will be working with. If you are tutoring for class credit you will be required to tutor at least ten sessions during the semester in order to receive full class credit.
What happens at training?
Tutor training involves the following: the basics of how to tutor and motivate kids; information about the diverse cultural groups you will work with; details about the schools; an opportunity to meet other tutors going to your school.
