CSC students hired as Nebraska SMART tutors

A Nebraska SMART Video contains more information for interested families. Parents who wish to gain access to tutoring must register their child at www.nscs.edu/NebraskaSMART. The Parent Guide provides steps for services such as registering a child, scheduling a tutoring session, and requesting on-demand tutoring.

Scheduled tutoring sessions can be 15, 30, 45, or 60 minutes. When a student joins the on-demand queue, the next tutor available in their subject and grade specialty will connect with them.

The NSCS surveyed elementary, middle school, and high school teachers and principals, as well as superintendents in the three ESUs to determine the greatest areas of need. The survey results showed that Math is the highest need, English is second, followed by Science, and Social Studies, according to Julie Dickerson, Director of Nebraska SMART.

The tutoring service can be accessed via a laptop, desktop, or Chromebook. Smartphones Some tablets are not currently supported technology requirements.

The two-year grant supports up to 10 tutors and a faculty coordinator who serves as the liaison on each campus. Their duties include hiring, supervising, and mentoring tutors; coordinating with Human Resources, IT, and facilities; and managing the laptops, tablets, and headsets purchased with grant funds. Associate Professor of Education, Dr. Robin Brierly, is the CSC Coordinator.

Tutors from the three state colleges work together as a single tutoring network for Nebraska SMART, according to Dickerson. CSC’s tutors, Scott O’Dell of Gillette, Wyoming, Emma Johnson of Chadron, and Kayleigh Reinsbach of Casper, Wyoming, are available Monday through Friday from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m.

During a training session on the CSC campus, Dickerson advised the tutors to avoid overextending themselves.

“We want the tutors to maintain a good balance between work, studying, and social life,” Dickerson said.

As with any pilot program, there are plenty of unknowns. Dickerson, an experienced online tutor, shared her knowledge with CSC tutors.

Dickerson advised the tutors of the difficulties in planning for on-demand tutoring.

“You don't know what the students already know or what they're struggling with. Do what you can for the student in the time you have. As you develop a tutoring relationship with them, you will be more aware of what they need and know their strengths and weaknesses.”

To be eligible to apply as a tutor, CSC students must have completed a criminal background check and be admitted into the Teacher Education program, which includes the completion of the following courses: Introduction to Teaching (EDUC 131), Educational Psychology (PSYC 231), Introduction to the Exceptional Learner (SPED 230), and Technology Resources for Learning (EDUC 224).