Durham-Great Bay Rotary - Newsletter - Archive (Dec 30, 2009)

He and Jud are attending the mid-term District Assembly on Feb 5th from 5 - 8 PM at the Holiday Inn in W. Portland. Anyone interested in attending should contact him.

The Jan 5th Board meeting has been rescheduled to Jan 11th. All future Board meetings will be on the second (editor's correction) Monday of the month at 5 PM at Mariner Realty.

John B There will be a budget meeting tonight at 4:30 PM at Mariner Realty.

Happy Bucks:

John B Weekend with family at Woodstock, VT.

Ron Family visiting from Chagrin Falls, OH.

Arthur Blue moon.

Dick W Daughter back from Philippines where she's working with the Red Cross; other daughter (?) in from Chapman College in CA.

Henry Cold weather

Pres. Rich Nice Christmas; close call with a falling tree on Pettee Brook yesterday.

Program:

Allison Neal, Tutor Doctor

Tutor Doctor is a ten-year old company (www.tutordoctor.com) with approximately fifty franchisees in North America and Europe. It's motto - "We Make House Calls" - highlights the personal approach it takes in working with parents, the student, and the student's teachers.

Today, classrooms are crowded and filled with students with diverse learning styles. But time is limited and teachers typically employ the "analytical" approach alone in covering the curriculum. Those students not comfortable with this approach may be bored or frustrated

Allison used a newly-purchased cellphone to illustrate the diversity of learning style tendencies of club members. The "imaginative" learner focuses on only those phone functions which will be needed. The "analytical" learner reads the manual first - cover to cover. The "common sense" learner tinkers with the phone without consulting the manual. The "dynamic" learner reads the manual while tinkering with the phone and then thinks about all the other ways to put the phone to use. We had at least a couple of each type.

Allison begins her work with a client with a free home visit. She speaks with the parents to clarify their goals, meets with the student to assess his/her skills and learning style tendency. She also notes issues that need to be addressed such as study skills, shyness, dyslexia, etc. as well as what non-academic passions the student has. After this assessment, she meets again with the family to discuss a plan of action. Costs range from $39/ to $49/hour depending on the number of hours being contracted.

If the student's needs are in a subject area, she will have the parents contact the teacher and ask that a meeting be held with the tutor. While most teachers are initially defensive, they come to understand that the interests of the student are best served if the tutor has a good understanding of the curriculum, knows the teacher's expectations, and there is collaboration.

Tutoring is done at a location most convenient for the parents: home, after school, the local library, etc. Tutors are interviewed and checked by Allison and typically live within 30 miles of their student. They must have the academic skills, be passionate about teaching and be able to motivate a student. 98% are teachers. She draws from a pool of about 100 today, each of whom is an independent contractor.

Students are mostly from the primary grades, although she does have clients with students in high school or who are adults themselves, perhaps needing a couple of hours of instruction on e.g. PowerPoint. Many of the students have weak foundations in mathematics and are experiencing problems with algebra or geometry. She also spends a lot of time with students whose study skills, note-taking skills, or time management need attention.

Megabucks:

Chip had the ticket but could not find the card. The $2 pot rolls over.

Upcoming Programs:

Jan 6 Bruce MacIntyre, The Market in 2010.

Jan 13 John LaCourse, Lee Board of Selectmen

Your Scribe: Ric