At Cabrini, there are numerous resources available to students to ensure academic growth and success. The Academic Enrichment Department is housed in Rooymans Hall and provides tutoring services and coaching help in all disciplines and for all majors. The department consists of the following programs and centers: Writing Center, Math Resource Center, Classroom Coaching Program, and, Subject Area Tutoring Program. I work at the Math Resource Center (MRC) as a math tutor.
Math was never an easy subject for me, I always had to work hard to excel in any math course. However, I love challenges and I think math is an important subject for all majors and careers. It develops and enhances your critical thinking and problem-solving skills. As a student, I know the concepts can be challenging and difficult to grasp. One of the reasons as to why I became an MRC tutor was to help students understand challenging concepts in mathematics.
As a tutor, my goal is to provide my peers with a safe and open space to ask questions, understand and practice course concepts, and learn about useful strategies and tips to excel in class. I teach all levels of math up to and including calculus I.
I try to use different approaches and figure out ways to accommodate my tutoring style to my peer's learning styles. Sometimes, I use verbal methods to guide students in learning a concept by explaining it in my own words. Other times, I show examples and adhere to their visual learning abilities. The most important thing is to engage the students, ask them questions about what they don’t understand, make clarifications, and go through their work with them.
Becoming a tutor requires many skills (apart from having an adequate understanding of the topics). Tutors must be patient and willing to explain a concept multiple times. Every student learns at a different pace, so it’s important to respect and value their abilities and encourage them. I had a student with a learning disability and I had to explain some concepts to him several times before he finally understood. Tutors should also try different approaches and maybe even ask students what learning style works for them.
As a tutor, my work schedule is pretty flexible. I only work three hours each week, so it doesn’t really impact my classes. Sometimes, when I don’t have any appointments and walk-ins, I make use of my time and work on my assignments and classwork. The MRC also provides tutors with textbooks used in different math courses to review some of the older concepts. We also have a professional tutor, Darla Nagy, who provides professional tutoring support to many students.
I also wanted to let you know that although the campus is closed, the Academic Enrichment is still providing services to students through online resources. We have been using blackboard collaborate for virtual appointments. You can still make an appointment through https://cabrini.mywconline.com, and the appointments will take place in an online setting.