ÎåÒ»²è¹Ý¶ù

TUTOR SPOTLIGHT

Behind the Screens with Jayme Brooks

Tutor Insights into Student Success

At ÎåÒ»²è¹Ý¶ù, our greatest assets are our rigorously vetted and highly qualified tutors. We are thrilled to spotlight our talented tutors and share their insights into student success and online learning.

Tell us about yourself. Why did you join the ÎåÒ»²è¹Ý¶ù team?

My name is Jayme Brooks, and I have been working as a tutor with ÎåÒ»²è¹Ý¶ù for three years. In 2022, I also accepted a quality specialist position, and both have been the most fulfilling career experiences I’ve had. I have a master’s degree in education and a bachelor’s degree in history. I currently tutor early childhood teacher education, both live and async (drop-off) English essay writing, English for English Learners, social studies, student success subjects, and career services.

I have moved around quite often, having a loved one who served in our military. This led me to various positions and experiences in different states including teaching, swim coaching, owning a business, and volunteering for several non-profit organizations. After a few years of raising a family, I decided it was time to return to my roots and explore opportunities in education once more. As students became dependent on virtual learning in 2020 due to the pandemic, I became invested in the future of our learners in this changing landscape. Mentoring, teaching, coaching, and tutoring have always been passions of mine. In every place we have journeyed, I felt it was my duty to seek opportunities to use my experience and skills in leadership to help others. It was this love for being a teacher and passing knowledge down to the next generation that re-sparked my interest in tutoring.

How do you define student success in your role as an academic tutor? Are there any key factors you feel contribute to student success?

As tutors, we should always encourage students towards independent learning. Student success is holistic rather than focused on one question. I define student success as the student being able to answer a problem or question (similar to one they’d struggled with) on their own, or to make an edit to additional writing having benefited from our leadership and guidance.

How do you support and guide students in setting and reaching their academic goals?

It’s important to always start each session by setting expectations. This not only helps guide the session in the right direction, but also helps both tutor and student set a goal and a focus. In establishing that focus, the likelihood of accomplishing a goal is much more likely. I always strive to have a well-rounded session that has a beginning, middle, and an end so that no student feels that the session is incomplete and each feels as if their questions are answered.

Can you share an example of a student you've worked with who experienced significant success? What strategies did you employ to help them achieve their goals?

I vividly remember working with a student who was applying for a postdoctoral psychiatry position and wanted to practice interview questions during a career session. While I was not familiar with the advanced content this student was specializing in, I utilized the resources in the Tutor Resource Center to conduct a mock interview while using modeling and scaffolding approach techniques. The student wound up having a lot of success in this session, and felt more confident and prepared going into their interview.

Are there any specific tools or technologies that you find particularly helpful in enhancing the online learning experience for students?

The best tools we have at our disposal in the virtual classroom are online educational resources. The internet can be a vast and intimidating place for many students who do not know how to utilize it effectively to expand their knowledge or conduct research. Having the ability to teach a younger generation the positive attributes of the internet is unique and can really enhance the online learning experience.

What is the most rewarding aspect of working with students as an academic tutor?

The most rewarding aspect of working with any student is achieving goals, no matter how big or small. The other rewarding aspect that comes from working with students is engaging with my own passion for education and continually learning and improving my own skills.