May 7, 2013

UI alumni couple gains success with Illini tutoring business

by Adlai Stevenson, The Daily Illini, originally published 3/27/13

Spring season hovers cryptically over many upperclassmen as their remaining undergraduate days wind down and a new stage in life approaches. But two alumni encourage students to work as hard as they can in school and beyond so that they can achieve and learn the most out of what life has to offer. They haven’t just experienced this stage themselves — advice is part of their job. And students can receive their help before crossing the gates to college or even as early as high school.

Alumni Elizabeth and Taso Sotiropoulos help many students through Illini Tutoring, a local organization they founded in Champaign that offers coaching in several topics ranging from high school level to advanced college courses. With six employed tutors and over 100 students tutored every semester, both Elizabeth and Taso said Illini Tutoring is the only local tutoring organization that provides coaching full-time and receives sponsorship from the National Tutoring Association.

The couple founded Illini Tutoring in fall 2010 after graduating from the University, although they said their business did not start as swiftly as it may seem. Taso said he and Elizabeth were engaged, and considered graduate programs following college. However, the programs did not immediately appeal to them because of their work ethic, he said. They wanted to follow their own path after their time at the University, and work from there.

To read more click here.

Popularity: 1% [?]

Filed under: Coaching,Commercial Providers,NTA (National Tutoring Association)

April 10, 2013

Online Academic Coaching course now available for schools, for-profit providers and individuals

by Nalini Lasiewicz, Crossroads of Learning

Crossroads of Learning recently launched an online course in Academic Coaching. The course is self-paced and accessed directly through the internet, taking an estimated 5-7 weeks. The cost is $209.00, all materials included. The curriculum is also available in workbook format, to be used in face-to-face training and professional development programs for peer and professional academic coaches, tutors or advisers. The Academic Coaching workbooks are available to organizations who organize trainings by approved trainers, either internal staff who have completed the Train-the-Trainer program from Crossroads of Learning or certified Master Tutor Trainers from the National Tutoring Association (NTA).

Sandra Clayton-Emmerson of the Center for Academic Success at Manhattan College in Riverdale, New York was one of the first to complete the course. She stated, “I found the training absolutely outstanding! I was introduced to new concepts that were specific to one-on-one coaching.” When asked about her experience with an online learning program, she added, “everything was seamless in terms of how it all went together. The readings with links to outside readings and websites really worked, the assignments following the readings made perfect sense and I was able to reach my mentor anytime I needed to.”

The course helps learning support and academic coaching personnel support the goal-setting, critical thinking, cultural awareness and emotional intelligence development of students, dealing with the entire learning path of being a student. Academic coaching builds on the fundamental skills of tutoring, which is why the Academic Coaching course has a prerequisite of the successful completion of the Crossroads of Learning Tutoring Foundations Basic (or Comprehensive) training level. A skilled tutor can help a student become a better learner. A skilled academic coach can help students identify and verbalize the answers to not just academic questions, but about setting and obtaining goals far into the future.

Click here to read more.

Popularity: 1% [?]

Filed under: Academic Learning Centers,Blog,Coaching,College,Crossroads of Learning,High School,NTA (National Tutoring Association),Small Private Practices,Training/Education

October 15, 2010

Eleanor Rouse – Somatic Strategies Superstar

Originally published by americalearns on 4/27/10

Eleanor Rouse has almost single handedly built up the somatic (mind, body, and heart) side of the America Learns National Strategy Library.

During the 2009-10 school year, this Girls For A Change coach created a number of innovative, effective strategies to help middle school girls focus and center themselves, ultimately leading to greater concentration and teamwork throughout each session. You’ll see one of those strategies below.

Like Megan Conners, who we’re also celebrating this month, Eleanor is one of the few individuals we’ve served since 2003 who has shared three or more strategies that were promoted to the America Learns National Strategy Library.

Eleanor Rouse

MORE ABOUT ELEANOR

Eleanor didn’t pull her strategies out of thin air. On top of her work in the nonprofit space (she has managed two arts organizations and raised more than $5 million for a number of organizations, including Girls For A Change), Eleanor coaches and facilitates workshops for clients who are interested in connecting deeply with their authentic selves and their own concept of a Higher Power. From that place, her clients create greater fulfillment in life, work and relationships. Learn more about Eleanor’s company.

ADVICE FOR USING HER STRATEGIES

When we asked Eleanor to share some advice that others can use as they try out her strategies, she noted that, “The girls think I’m crazy when I try somatic coaching practices with them; however, I always notice a difference in their own presence and energy, even if we do it for just a few seconds. Particularly for middle school girls, it helps them become ready to listen to each other and to participate with a bit more concentration during the meeting.”

To read more click here.

Popularity: 7% [?]

Filed under: Academic Learning Centers,Coaching,K-8

January 6, 2009

50 Tricks for Tutors and Learners to Get Things Done

As we start the New Year, many of us look at our "To Do Lists" and realize that it’s time, once again, to prioritize.

We all want to get stuff done, whether it’s the work we have to do so we can get on with what we want to do, or indeed, the projects we feel are our purpose in life. To that end, here’s a collection of 50 productivity "hacks," tips, tricks, and mnemonic devices published on lifehacker.com that can help. They include ideas from many systems and philosophies from "Getting Things Done" (GTD) daily planning and empty inbox approach to the "Seven Habits" quadrant, all boiled down to a simple suggestion. Whether used as a way to address an organizational issue for a learner, or improve a tutor’s personal process, there’s a wealth of practical insight in this list. Enjoy!

Click here to read the article at the lifehacker.com web site. (2,765 words total)

Popularity: 38% [?]

Filed under: Coaching,Productivity

December 5, 2008

Three Learning Style Systems Tutors Can Use

from the Adult Education Centre at University College Dublin

All students have different intellectual abilities. They think and learn differently. Some learning patterns will have been developed as a result of the schooling experience where materials were largely presented in a way that benefited students with linguistic/numeric abilities. As a result innate learning styles may not have been developed and students may need to be encouraged to identify their own learning pattern.

There are various ways of classifying differences in learning styles. Many theories and models have been proposed. This section will look at three of the most common learning styles classifications:

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