CFAA - Tutoring

The CFAA offers FREE individual tutoring for all ETSU students in writing, math, science, many general education core courses, and select, high-demand upper level courses.

If you have a student who you believe would particularly benefit from working one-on-one with a trained tutor, please contact Janice Levasseur (levasseurj@etsu.edu) so that a staff member can reach out to that student.

You can also use ETSU's Navigate platform to submit an alert on a student.  This will allow you to access updates on our attempts to contact and schedule the student for tutoring.

The CFAA's tutor training program is certified by the College Reading & Learning Association's International Tutor Training Program Certification. This certification requires the CFAA to adhere to strict hiring, training, and evaluation guidelines. As a certified program, the CFAA can bestow certification upon tutors as they complete training requirements. All CFAA tutors are required to become certified tutors, and tutors can elect to pursue higher levels of certification (advanced and master) after their initial certification. Here are the requirements for each level:

Level I: Certified Tutor

1. Complete 10 hours of training
   1. 6 hrs must be face-to-face (pre-semester staff trainings or other approved sessions)
   2. 4 hours will be credited for completing the Level I topics on D2L
2. Complete 25 hours of tutoring

Training topics for Level I:

• Confidentiality
• Definition of Tutoring and Tutor Responsibilities
• Basic Tutoring Guidelines
• Beginning and Ending a Tutoring Session
• Learning Theory
• Difficult Tutoring Situations
• Active Listening and Paraphrasing
• Setting Goals and Planning
• Study Skills
• Referral Skills
• Tutoring Ethics

Level II: Advanced Tutor

1. Complete 10 additional hours of training
   1. 4 hrs must be face-to-face (pre-semester staff trainings or other approved sessions)
   2. 6 hours will be credited for completing the Level II topics on D2L
2. Complete an additional 25 hours of tutoring (50 total)

Training topics for Level II:

• Review of Level I Topics
• Using Probing Questions
• Cultural Awareness
• Assisting Diverse Learners
• Assessing and Changing Study Behaviors
• Personality and Tutoring
• Identifying and Using Resources
• 2 hours of subject-specific training

Level III: Master Tutor

1. Complete 10 additional hours of training
   1. 2 hrs must be face-to-face (pre-semester staff trainings or other approved sessions)
   2. 8 hours will be credited for completing the Level III topics on D2L
2. Complete an additional 25 hours of tutoring (75 total)

Training topics for Level III:

• Review of Level I and II Topics
• Training and Supervising Other Tutors
• Group Management Skills
• Metacognition and Self-Regulated Learning
• How to Tutor Target Populations
• The Role of Learning Centers in Higher Education
• Structuring the Learning Experience

The CFAA offers instructors the opportunity to have a center representative come to their classrooms to give an overview of our services. These workshops can cover a variety of topics and can be customized to fit the needs of that particular course. Visits can last from 5 minutes to 1 hour depending on the instructor's preference. Some of our more popular workshop topics include:

• CFAA Services Overview
• Study Skills
• Time Management
• Notetaking
• Project Management
• Preparing for Finals
• Testing Strategies and Prep
• College Survival Skills
• Growth Mindset
• Campus Resources Overview
• Writing Workshops
  
  • APA Style
  • MLA Style
  • Proofreading Tips & Tricks
  • Peer Review
  • Graduate Writing 101
• Speech/Presentation Tips
• Life Design

Please contact Janice Levasseur at levasseurj@etsu.edu to schedule a class visit or workshop. 

The CFAA mainly employs individuals capable of tutoring in three broad academic areas—writing, mathematics, and the natural sciences—and most general education core courses. These tutors are undergraduates, graduates, and professional tutors, from a variety of majors and backgrounds. All staff participate in general tutor training as well as ongoing professional development in their discipline.

They are hired through a variety of programs, including Academic Performance Scholarships (APS), Federal Work Study (FWS), and Graduate Assistantships (GA), as well as through the university’s Temporary Employee program.

If you have a student who you feel would be a valuable addition to our tutoring team, please contact Janice Levassuer levasseurj@etsu.edu so that a staff member can reach out to that student.

You can also refer the student to our “Become a Tutor” page which includes a link to our online tutor application.

Please feel free to use the following text in your syllabus.

Tutoring

The Center for Academic Achievement (CFAA) at ETSU offers free support in writing, math, science, communication, study skills, and general education courses as well as many upper-level courses. The CFAA offers by-appointment, drop-in, and online services to help students reach their learning goals. In a friendly, comfortable atmosphere, students at all levels participate in interactive sessions to expand their knowledge, develop their academic skills, increase their confidence, and enhance their success.

Tutors will help you no matter where you are in a course, but students who utilize the center early in the semester and attend tutoring consistently achieve the best outcomes. Appointments are recommended, but walk-ins are welcome if tutors are available. Detailed instructions about how to schedule an appointment for tutoring are available on the CFAA's website: www.etsu.edu/tutoring. Students are welcome to call (423-439-7111), email (learning@etsu.edu), or stop by the center (144 Sherrod Library) for assistance.

 

Supplemental Instruction (SI)

Supplemental Instruction (SI) study sessions are offered for this course. SI sessions meet a few times weekly throughout the semester. Supplemental Instruction is an academic assistance program which provides interactive, engaging, and fun peer-led group study sessions to assist students in traditionally difficult courses. 

SI sessions are led by a SI leader who has already mastered the course material and has been trained to facilitate group sessions where students can meet to improve their understanding of course material, review and discuss important concepts, develop study strategies and prepare for exams.  SI is for everyone, and open to all students enrolled in this class. Attendance at SI sessions is free and voluntary. Students who attend SI sessions regularly earn higher exam grades and final course grades than students who do not participate in SI. Please bring your lecture notes, books, and questions with you.

The complete schedule of SI sessions for this course is available at www.etsu.edu/students/learning/grouptutoring.php

Just email Janice Levasseur levasseurj@etsu.edu with your course and section number. She can run a report of students who are enrolled in your class who have attended tutoring sessions.

Email CFAA Director, Jake Alspaugh alspaugh@etsu.edu.