Tutoring Adolescents How long have you been working with youth In what contexts What do you hope to

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Tutoring AdolescentsHow long have you been
working with youth? In what contexts?What do
you hope to gain fro this information?

• Shelly Mahon
• UW-Madison Doctoral Student

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Introduction what to consider when working with
adolescents

• General information about adolescent development
• Strategies for engaging adolescents
• Implications for tutors

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Processes of Adolescent Development
Biological Processes
Cognitive Processes
Socio- emotional Processes
WHY DO ACHEIVEMENT ISSUES SURFACE DURING
ADOLESCENCE
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Changes in Adolescent Thinking

• the world of the possible
• abstract concepts
• process of thinking itself
• multidimensional
• relative terms
• What does this mean for Tutors

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Strategies for tutors

• Make learning fun-use music, poetry, etc.
• Give them opportunities to practice thinking
  skills
• Relate school to their own experiences personal
  reflection
• Present creative games/activities-teaching them
  to think more abstractly in that way can carry
  over into other areas of their lives.
• Talk about issues in relation to real
  consequences
• Give permission to make mistakes

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The focus on themselves

• Egocentrism
• Imaginary Audience
• Personal Fable
• What does it mean for those working with
  adolescents

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Impact of egocentrism in tutoring relationship

• Seemingly simple or personal issues can interfere
  with learning.
• If they believe it wont happen to them then
  they may not recognize the ramifications of their
  choices in school.
• Capitalize on preoccupation with self in building
  a relationship

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Why is it a focus on achievement important
during adolescent years?

• Preparation for adult roles
• Begin to see the implications of education and
  career decision-making on overall achievement
• Increased decisions and stricter consequences

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The nature of achievement

• Complex array of environmental and personal
  factors
• Many youth need tutoring for reasons outside of
  intellectual ability
• The rich get richer and the poor get poorer
• The earlier the intervention, the better the end
  results

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Determine Why They Need a Tutor

• What are their specific needs?
• Academics
• Skills
• Relationships
• Resources

BELIEVE IN THEIR OVERALL ABILITY TO LEARN
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Relationship Building

• Demonstrate genuine caring
• Model appropriate adult behavior
• Start from where they are
• Establish trust in communications with teachers
  and parent
• Help them develop good relationships with
  teachers

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Empower Youth

• Parent involvement
• No excuses or I cant
• Dont solve all their problemshelp them talk
  about them

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Tutors

• YOU ARE A

Teacher
Supporter
Coach
Role Model
Listener
Cheerleader
Resource
Advocate
Mentor