In August, the Center was awarded a recertification from the College Reading and Learning Association ITPC. With this recertification, Lone Star College-North Harris joins a select group of 820 programs around the world including programs in the United States, Puerto Rico, Canada, Japan, and Australia.
Lane C. Johnson, director of the Center for Teaching and Learning and faculty member since 1989, said she began as a tutor and has worked with the Learning Center ever since–eventually becoming director in 2002.
“Our CTL has been in operation since the college first opened 35 years ago,” Johnson explained, “but we continually expand our services to become a more complete learning-services resource for our students.”
Initially, the center offered assistance only for students needing development in English, writing, and mathematics. Over the past 15 years, however, a wider variety of subject matter has been added, including a biology learning center, supplemental instruction, as well as trained and certified peer-group leaders who offer structured study groups available after each class.
This past year, Tutor Training Specialist/Coordinator Siana Williams compiled and submitted the required paperwork for recertification.
“The most significant improvement that’s occurred in the Center for Teaching and Learning services is in the structure,” Williams pointed out. “Before, we only offered one-on-one tutoring in specific content areas. In addition to our expanded subject offerings, we’ve separated the developmental classes from college classes that need tutoring and have increased peer-group study-based learning opportunities.”
“Certification means our tutors have had at least 10 hours of training in how to be an effective tutor,” Johnson said, “and tutors can earn pay increases by completing additional training.”
Current tutor pay is computed, based on educational degrees and the levels of tutor training completed. “Our tutors earn anywhere from $7.50 an hour with Level One tutor training and a high school diploma,” Williams said. “Those who have completed Level Three tutor training and have a master’s degree can make approximately $21 an hour for tutoring.”
Training provided by CRLA for tutors at LSC-North Harris assists each individual in knowing how to tutor, understanding the difference between teachers and tutors, the ethics of tutoring, and maintaining appropriate confidentiality. This training is required for all peer and professional tutors.
Located on the second floor of the college’s Academic Building, the Center for Teaching and Learning offers a numerous courses to assist LSC-North Harris students as well as students across the Lone Star College System.
“As an example, we offer a student orientation/success course (EDUC1300) for first-time college students, to help them get off on the right start,” Johnson said, “and we continue to enlarge our offerings to cover as many subject areas and classes as possible. Our goal is for all students to excel, whatever the subject. Therefore, we see our mission as an extremely important one, which is our motivation to continue to broaden and improve what we offer our students, whether they are dual-credit program students from area high schools, traditional college-age students, or those who are returning to the classroom after being out of school for years.”
Lone Star College-North Harris is located at 2700 W.W. Thorne Drive, one-half mile south of FM 1960 East, between Aldine-Westfield and Hardy Roads. For more information about the college, call 281.618.5400 or visit: NorthHarris.LoneStar.edu.
Lone Star College System consists of five colleges including LSC-CyFair, LSC-Kingwood, LSC-Montgomery, LSC-North Harris, and LSC-Tomball, six centers, LSC-University Center, LSC-University Park, Lone Star Corporate College, and LSC-Online. With more than 51,000 students in credit classes last fall, LSCS is the largest institution of higher education in the Houston area and third largest community college system in Texas. To learn more, visit LoneStar.edu.
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