Tag Archives: peer tutors

Why Modeling is Good for Your Child

Now wait a minute. Were you assuming that I meant modeling clothing? Did you think I was suggesting that your child should strive to strut down a runway in her future? Ahem, no. But perhaps that’s a good way to explain what I really mean. When a designer puts his clothes on someone, he chooses a person with a fabulous figure, tall, slender, who can walk with confidence and grace. He wants to demonstrate the possibilities with his design, and how it’s supposed to look and fit, ideally. And what does his model do? (Excuse the use of pronouns here. … Continue reading →

“How Can We Ever Be Friends?” Katie and Vincent’s Story

Posted on by

I read an article in this weeks PEOPLE magazine that really made me smile. It’s a shining example of how peer tutoring, or mentoring, is a fabulous concept that should be promoted in every school in the nation. The article, written by Richard Jerome and Lori Rozsa (May 29, 2006), highlights a special relationship between two students: Vincent Benito, who is 15 and has autism, and his peer mentor, Katie Davis, 13. The two attend Thomas E. Weightman Middle School in Wesley Chapel, Florida. Before Katie made the decision to be a peer mentor, she thought it would be an … Continue reading →

Ten Tips for Teen Peer Tutors

Are you the parent of a teen who’d like to be a peer tutor? Terrific! Here are some tips and insight you can pass along: Peer Tutors! You have been given the opportunity to make a difference in someone else’s life. Your example, friendship skills, and patience can make another person’s school experience more positive. You may not realize it, but this student you are going to help has parents and family members behind the scenes who applaud you and are grateful, beyond words, for your efforts. As the mother of an autistic teen, there is some advice I can … Continue reading →

Could a Peer Tutor Help My Daughter with ADHD?

Today, ahem, was Sunni’s parent-teacher conference. “Sunni” is my twelve-year-old daughter with ADHD. She did not want to come to her conference, but I insisted. As is typical of her, she would rather have hid, or busied herself with babysitting. Sunni is extremely shy and hates “facing the music.” But her turn came, and we sat down across from her teacher. I squeezed myself into a child-size seat too small for my poor derriere, and Sunni sat sideways, turning symbolically away from the confrontation. Inconsistency and Inattention “As I mentioned on the phone, she’s missing a lot of assignments. And … Continue reading →