How to Tutor

Honen HaDaat: Crisis in American Education
Summer JAM 2007/5767 Session 1

For the past two weeks, we, a small group of students, have been visiting the Washington Middle School for Girls to help enhance the girls' knowledge and develop them as future leaders. To achieve these objectives we facilitate exercises that develop character and also assist them in their academic needs. Reflecting back on the course we all acquired new views and opinions on America's education system and we saw the education system through a different perspective. We also took away with us many new skills in dealing with peers, being consciencious , patient and learning how to be both a mentor and a friend.

The inspiration to better the world for all of us comes from very different places. In Hebrew Tikkun Olam is a word that means “repairing the world”. Before this service project we had an idea in our minds of how we wanted to help out the world, and now we have come to many conclusions as to how we can go about doing this and making the world a better place. We all have a different vision of what an inspiration is to us and some examples include showing people their full potential in striving to achieve, giving back to the undeserved, helping to better education, introducing new concepts to people of various backgrounds, developing well rounded persons, setting positive examples to develop new skills and continuing the responsibilities instilled in us by our personal mentors. In conclusion it is evident that we all have different sources of inspiration, some come from religion some come from our hearts but all are there to help repair the world(Tikkun Olam) just one step at a time.

Tutoring Techniques and Tools

After tutoring at Washington Middle School for Girls, here are techniques that can better the tutoring experience.

Personal Qualities

• be encouraging/supportive
• know the subject you're teaching
• be patient
• be personable
• love children and your job
• be adaptable to alternate methods

Teaching Methods

• keep things simple-- step by step
• lead by example
• give positive reinforcement
• teach method NOT answer
• make subject interesting/exciting
• find weaknesses and focus on strengthening skills
• use visual aids
• ensure that student understand (ask them to explain)

Interactions with Students

• relate to student
• make it personal-- use names often
• positive body language--maintain eye contact

Character Building

The goals of character building are to strengthen certain aspects of a child's character this changes depending on the child and activity

Techniques

• Create a balance between being a friend and a facilitator
• Organization
• Cater to the needs of the student when planning/facilitating
• Use body language to convey authority
• Don't single out individual students, but rather, address them as a group
• Encourage, but don't push
• Positive reinforcement
• Be flexible/adaptable
• Make sure activities are neither too short nor too long
• Sitting as a group in a circle
• If more than one facilitator, disperse facilitator between students

Ideas

• Teach and utilize a quiet down cheer
• Always have emergency/back up activities
• Ask for input from the students

Personal Reflections

Working with kids has really taught me the virtue of patience. Going into this experience, I wasn't really sure what to expect. The first day really exceeded my expectations with their excitement and interest in getting to know everyone. I did notice that the idea of saying goodbye, which has always seemed so innocent to me, meant a lot to these girls. This taught me to appreciate the little every day occurrences in life. The girls are all so unique and have so many talents to contribute to this world. The one thing I've really grown to admire is that despite the fact that they have to go to classes in the summer, they still manage to live life to its fullest with radiant smiles. Although at times it was difficult to keep them focused, I really learned to understand the meaning of patience. With patience, the outcomes are greater and more successful! My hope for the girls is that they continue on to high school and hopefully then to college. They have taught to me the importance of a good laugh and to remain positive.

-Britty C

While tutoring at the Washington Middle School for Girls I was surprised to be greeted with such enthusiasm by the girls. They always greeted us with smiles and parted with hugs. Their automatic attachment to us made our jobs easy and enjoyable. They participated and seemed to enjoy our presence. It was such great experience working with the wonderful young women at WMSG and i learned a lot of techniques while teaching them. They are such great girls with such great personalities. They are so inspiring. They show up to school every day during the summer with smiles despite the tough situations they might be enduring at home. They all live and love and it is wonderful being around such positive enthusiastic girls because sometimes I forget about the little things that make you happy.

-Rachel B

During my time at the Washington Middle School for girls, I was deeply changed. I came into this experience expecting an under-equipped learning environment that differed little from the public schools. What I found was something completely different. This school embodies a unique educational philosophy. I found a school that was well-equipped to serve the needs of its students. The teachers really seem to care about their students. But the students themselves surprised me the most. I expected to find a school filled with girls who had spent far too much time on the streets. What I found was a group of students who wanted a friend, an education, and a legitimate chance at achieving their dreams.

-Jesse B

Rachel B, Jesse B, Louis C-B, Britty C, Brianne E, Susannah G, Jessica G, Elizabeth G, Max L, Mandy R, Nick S, Cassie S, Erica S, Corinne T