Gunn High School students can now request peer or adult tutoring through a single website, according to an Oct. 27 report by the school’s student newspaper, The Oracle.
Tutor Connect brings together tutoring resources previously managed separately through the Academic Center, K-14 and P-116, The Oracle reported.
Students submit their class and availability. Academic Center coordinator Pam Steward told The Oracle that the platform can match students with tutors automatically. The platform’s website says administrators review and confirm bookings.
Previously, Steward used Google Forms and spreadsheets to organize tutor information and requests manually.
English teacher Nicole Menache and Interim Principal Erik Olah connected with a student developer through Palo Alto High School’s tutoring teacher, according to The Oracle. Menache said the student handled development and revisions while communicating with her and Olah by email.
Adult volunteers help fill gaps
The platform also incorporates adult volunteer tutors vetted by the school district.
Steward told The Oracle that fewer available prep periods have made peer tutoring harder to arrange. Adult volunteers can help during those gaps or before school, she said.
Easier requests, less personal contact
Steward said the new system is easier to track but reduces some of her direct contact with students, who can scan a QR code to request tutoring without visiting the Academic Center.
Senior peer tutor Esther Li told The Oracle that the website makes the sign-up process clearer and offers several tutoring options. She said more publicity would help it reach students.
Students can request tutoring or apply to become tutors through Gunn’s Tutor Connect website, according to The Oracle.
