Turning the Tables: Students Become Teachers Through Peer Tutoring System

Arnav Chandan and Mia Jong|November 2, 2022

Freshman Dylan Erol and peer tutor and senior Adrian Chow work together to tackle a math assignment solving absolute value equations and analyzing graphs. Since peer tutoring is free and located on campus, it provides a much easier alternative for parents than off-campus tutoring, according to peer tutoring adviser and counselor Melissa Gibson.

Typically, when students need help completing their school work, teacher office hours are one of the only options. However, teachers often have Disneyland long queues of students in need of support, especially if they teach multiple classes, and are not always available.

Rather than becoming endlessly submerged in questions without answers, students can turn to peer tutoring, a student-to-student support system, giving teachers a break while still receiving the help they need.

Peer tutoring is available to all students Mondays from 2:15 to 4:15 p.m. and Tuesdays through Thursdays from 2:20 to 4:20 p.m. in room 905. It is a service designed to help students with their coursework, study habits and organization skills, according to peer tutoring adviser and counselor Melissa Gibson.

“

The conceptual stuff usually doesn’t click until it’s actually in practice, so you kind of have to guide them through one or two step by step. Once they see that process, things just kind of click together.

— Adrian Chow

“I think what’s nice is that it’s available, and students don’t have to feel locked or forced into going,” Gibson said. “So if students need help with homework, or if they just need help with assignments, group work or one certain subject, they just go get that help right then right there, and then they’re done with that.”

The program consists of 37 peer tutors, so each subject has its own set number of tutors who have taken that specific subject’s class before or are at an advanced level in that particular subject, according to Gibson.

“It’s more comfortable to approach students rather than teachers because sometimes it can be intimidating,” sophomore Felipe Gomez said. “With teachers, they’re always busy with other students or grading and making the lesson plan for other days, so they don’t always have the time.”

Many tutors in the program are able to connect with students on a personal level, sometimes more so than teachers, sharing common experiences due to the tutor having taken that class before, according to sophomore Sarah Kim.

“It’s always good if you do an example or two with them because it really helps them kind of just start to get it,” senior Adrian Chow said. “The conceptual stuff usually doesn’t click until it’s actually in practice, so you kind of have to guide them through one or two step by step. Once they see that process, things just kind of click together.”

Peer tutoring not only gives tutees the ability to learn and grow, but also the tutors. Many tutors learn new ways to tackle problems in their own lives, become more patient and gain interpersonal skills to become more effective communicators, according to Kim.

“I’m most proud of being able to create a relationship with the students and making sure that I’m there for them when they need help,” Kim said. “I’m a friend that can help them, that is willing to help them in things that they may find trouble with.”