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Tutor Handbook

 

Thank You!

We are so grateful that you are willing to devote your time and energy to helping further the work of the RISE Institute for Literacy. Our tutors are the key to unlocking the door of literacy for our students and your commitment will have a lasting impact on the lives of our students and community.

Tutoring Center Hours

The RISE Literacy Center office is open from 9:00 am – 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday. Most in person students will come for tutoring after school, between the hours of 3:00 PM and 6:00 PM. If you tutor your students at a time that is outside of regular hours or virtually, the schedule will be handled between the tutor and the student.

Tutoring Sessions

Tutoring sessions will last 45 minutes. 15 minutes of additional preparation time should be expected to complete the tutor log, communicate with parents, and prepare for your next session.

Tutoring Session Activities

  • Welcome and rapport building 2-5 mins

    • 1st Session – Getting to Know You sheet

    • Ongoing Sessions – checking in re: school, anything new or different

  • Review of previous session’s skills/software assignment 7-10 mins

    • Review previous skill for retention/mastery using dictation/transfer cards

  • Introduction to new skill 10-15 mins

    • Review the instructor manual and resources in order to present an introduction to the skill and to have resources on hand

    • Use reference materials such as posters and bookmarks for visual support

    • Present the new skill using the Teacher Instruction section of the manual and check for student’s understanding before moving on

  • Practice of new skill (dictation, etc.) 5-10 mins

    • Have student practice the new skill using the Student Involvement section (manual) and transfer cards

    • Use the Release of Responsibility model: “I do, we do, you do”

    • Provide more explanation or additional practice as needed

  • Practice of new skill/review (decoding, fluency, comprehension) 5-7 mins

    • Using transfer cards, reading passages, or books, have student practice reading aloud with focus on reinforcing the new skill or reviewing a previously learned skill.

  • End of session 5-15 mins

    • Homework assignment: software assignment/skill practice at home

    • Provide summary of student progress to parent

    • Tutor completes tutor notes on computer with plan for next session

Guidelines for in person and virtual Tutoring Sessions

  • Use the Reading Horizons reading method and software as the foundation for your tutoring and monitor your students software progress. 

  • Come a few minutes early to your session so that you can be prepared to welcome your student and start on time.

  • Have materials ready prior to the start of your 45 minute session, so that you can spend the maximum amount of time with your student.

  • Greet the parent and make sure that they are comfortable. We recommend that parents do not come into tutoring sessions, but there may be infrequent situations where it might be beneficial to have a parent in the room.

  • Spend time in the first session getting to know your student. 

  • Leave the door ajar when tutoring students. Tutors should not be in a room with closed doors. 

  • Provide encouragement, especially if a student is struggling, and give additional support as needed.

  • Keep all information confidential – never share a student’s name or information with others.

  • School documents including testing results, special education records, etc. must be kept separate from the tutor file in a locked drawer. If a parent provides documents from a school, psychologist, etc., make sure that they are put in the RISE office manager’s box. 

  • Write complete notes on tutor log including plan for next session.

  • Communicate with the RISE office manager in advance if you will be unable to attend a session or need to change the regularly scheduled time.

  • End sessions on time.

  • Assign appropriate learning activities between sessions (specific lessons on software, etc).

  • Briefly summarize the session for the parent (example “we worked on blends today”).

  • Return resources after using so that others can find them.

  • Tutors should not have contact with students or parents outside of RISE unless approved (no friends on Facebook, etc.). 

  • Physical contact with students should be limited to side hugs, and always in the presence of the parent or other adults.

  • Follow process for reporting any allegations of abuse or neglect. Document that a student or parent made an allegation in the tutor log and report the allegation to the RISE office manager immediately.  

  • Follow established procedures for locking the building. 

  • Contact the RISE office manager if you have questions or concerns, or would like to discuss one of the students you are tutoring. If you are unsure what to do with a student during tutoring sessions, schedule a time to meet with the office manager.

Additionally, the following Guidelines apply when Tutoring Virtually

  • Virtual tutors are required to use their own technology for tutoring.

  • Be proficient in the use of Zoom or some similar video conferencing software. 

  • Virtual tutors will provide their own video conferencing software.

  • Existing internet and child protection laws must be strictly adhered to, including all federal and state laws.

RISE Tutor Certification

Onboarding Process

  1. Complete paperwork

  2. Receive access to and training for software

  3. Observe 3 lessons taught by current tutors

  4. Complete mock lesson with Jessica to receive feedback from her

  5. Complete background check

  6. Submit a short tutor bio and photograph for our website

  7. Receive access to RH training modules

  8. Fill out training module agreement form

  9. Complete module 1

  10. Have supervisor observe 3 tutoring sessions

  11. Record all tutoring sessions in the Tutor Log

Ongoing Training

  • Participate in a monthly professional development tutor meeting

  • Receive feedback score of 85% or higher- administered after every 5 sessions

  • Continued professional development activities: watch videos, observe other tutors, learn on rhaccelerate, read related articles, review online workshop, read curriculum manuals or textbooks, etc.

Mandatory Reporting of Abuse or Neglect

Children view tutors as trusted adults. Although it is highly unlikely, there is the possibility that a child may tell a RISE tutor something that will need to be reported. 

According to Utah law, “When any person…has reason to believe that a child has been subjected to incest, molestation, sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, physical abuse, or neglect, or who observes a child being subjected to conditions or circumstances which would reasonably result in sexual abuse, physical abuse, or neglect, he shall immediately notify the nearest peace office, law enforcement agency or office of the Division of Child and Family Services (DCFS). (Utah Code Annotated 62A-4a-403).

In the event that this occurs, the following process must be followed: 

  • In the tutor log, record that a student told you something which will be followed up on. Do not include specific information. 

  • On a separate piece of paper, write all of the information regarding your conversation with the child. Include as much detail as possible. Place this in a sealed envelope and leave in the RISE office manager’s inbox. 

  • Email or text the RISE office manager to let her know that a child has reported abuse or neglect and that your statement is in her box.  

If the child is in imminent danger, contact the office manager by phone immediately. If she is unavailable, contact the Child Abuse Hotline at

855-323-3237