Tutor Time

Tutor Time

Tutor Time is a pre-college program sponsored by Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute's Dean of Students Office. It is part of the America Reads and America Counts program and is designed to help increase a child's self esteem and develop confidence and a continued desire to learn by providing a safe, encouraging environment in which they can learn. Each Saturday, RPI college students tutor children in grades PreK-9 in mathematics and reading at two locations in Troy on Saturdays.

Children who attend the program will receive assistance with basic math and reading skills. Some of the children begin Tutor Time struggling in school and others just want to be challenged: all the students discover that they enjoy learning when they are supported by the RPI student staff who help reinforce concepts and ideas that the children are learning in school. Students are asked to bring with them materials that they wish to understand. Parents are encouraged to acquire supplementary materials from the student's teacher for the student to work on during the tutoring session whenever possible.Tutor Time

Reading

Reading is a key building block for all learning. It is the national consensus that a child should master reading by the end of the third grade, or risk falling further behind. Tutor Time was in part developed to help strengthen children's reading skills. Tutor Time helps provide basic reading skills to students in kindergarten through third grade, and to older students needing review. Students benefit from an integrated approach to reading that combines word and letter recognition, phonics and comprehension. We will assist young readers find meaning in what they read and learn how to sharpen both oral and listening skills. We provide a positive and encouraging environment for young children that will facilitate learning.

Mathematics

Mathematics is the key to opportunity. Tutor Time's math program assists students from K-9 to apply fundamental, grade appropriate math skills. To stay on track for college and promising careers, today's students must achieve high academic standards. One means of helping students improve their math achievement is to provide them with personal attention and additional learning opportunities through tutoring and mentoring.

The following topics are among the math skills Tutor Time practices with students:

Program History

RPI's Tutor Time was founded in Fall 2001 by a group of students participating in the America Reads / America Counts Work Study program, a government sponsored program that promotes the "no child left behind" initiative. Its goal is to ensure that each child, grades K-9, receive assistance in basic math and reading skills.

With the support of the Lansingburgh Public Library, Tutor Time was able to open its doors on December 2001. Through the hard work and dedication of the students and staff participating in Tutor Time, the program's popularity made it necessary to expand to a second location. In October 2002, Tutor Time opened its doors at Troy School 14. In the winter of 2009, it was necessary for the Lansingburgh program to move temporarily to the Lansingburgh Boys and Girls Club, with the closing of the Lansingburgh Branch of the Troy Public Library. With the continued support of the Lansingburgh and Troy Public Schools, support through the Federal Work Study Program, and volunteer and community support, we plan to offer free tutoring services to children throughout the academic year, for many years to come.

2008-2009 Staff

2008-2009 Site Leaders:
Stanley Johnson, Amy Suen, Brandt Gigle, Harit Shah & Kevin Houghtaling

2008-2009 Staff-in-Training:
Adam Steinberger, Christine Schultheiss & Christina Plummer

Program Coordinator
Cynthia Smith, Assistant Dean of Students
RPI - 4721 Academy Hall
Troy, NY 12180
Phone: (518) 276-3098
Fax: (518) 276-4839
E-mail: Pre-College Programs

 
Pre-College Initiatives, Phone: (518) 276-3098, Fax: (518) 276-4839