Peer Tutoring

Tutors are hired to work part-time through the Work Study program. Tutees (students being tutored) are enrolled in any program offered at the college. There is no charge to the tutees for this service.

A tutor and tutee studying accounting together in the Learning Resource Centre on the Tenth Street Campus

Advantages of joining the Peer Tutor Program at Selkirk

• Improves academic achievement 
• More time for individualized learning
• Peer tutors reinforce their own learning by instructing others
• Fosters relationships with peers
• Increases motivation for both tutor and tutee
• Improves confidence
• Earn money to study

Seeking a peer tutor?

For more information about getting a peer tutor, contact the Learning Skills Coordinator on your campus. They oversee the Peer Tutor Program and are responsible for matching tutors and tutees. They are also available to help with any problems that arise from a scheduling or compatibility issue. 

• Castlegar Campus: Todd Solarik
• Tenth Street Campus: Darcy Falkenhagen
• Silver King Campus: Laurie Jarvis

Interested in becoming a peer tutor?

Job Description

Tutors help their student peers become more effective learners. Tutors achieve this by asking questions about the student's understanding of the subject area, making suggestions about how to study or a method of approaching a problem, modelling appropriate learning strategies, and by referring the student to learning resources or other services within the college. Peer Tutors are not expected to teach coursework or to be substitutes for teachers. Successful applicants will receive tutor training. Tutors work anywhere from one to 10 hours per week; many tutors average 3-4 hours per week. They are required to document their hours and submit time sheets to the Learning Skills Coordinators.

Remuneration

Tutors are paid minimum wage ($15.20/hour plus 4 percent vacation, effective June 1, 2021). They will be permitted to work a maximum of 10 hours a week, 30 hours a month, and 100 hours for the academic year. For international students, these work-study hours do not count towards the maximum 20 hours of off-campus work permitted on a study visa.

Minimum Qualifications of Student Tutors

1. Be a student with at least one course in any program at Selkirk College.
2. Have a strong academic background in the subject as indicated on your transcript (at least a B+ in the subject being tutored) and a recommendation from an instructor.
3. Possess good communication skills and interpersonal skills.
4. Have a natural predisposition and appropriate personality traits to work with students, i.e. be sensitive, empathetic, and non-judgmental.
5. Have a Canadian Social Insurance Number.
6. Not be enrolled in another work study position at Selkirk College.

How to Apply

1. Find out more about Work Study positions at the college.
2. Contact your Work Study supervisor:
   • Castlegar Campus: Todd Solarik
   • Tenth Street Campus: Darcy Falkenhagen
   • Silver King Campus: Laurie Jarvis
3. Complete the online Tutor Application form.

Hiring Process

Once you have been offered the tutoring position, you will need to complete the following documents with your supervisor, a Learning Skills Coordinator, prior to your first day of tutoring:

1. Complete a Student Employment Agreement - Work Study Program Form
2. Fill out a Temporary Employment Contract
3. Fill out tax forms TD1 and TD1BC
4. Provide a voided blank cheque or official direct deposit documentation from your Financial Institution in order to receive your earnings through direct deposit
5. Complete the New Worker Health & Safety Online Orientation and Safety Orientation Checklist
6. Attend the initial training session.

Submitting Hours

A timesheet schedule can be found in the link below. It is your responsibility to submit your tutor log and hours to your supervisor every two weeks according to the payroll schedule. Students are paid through direct deposit on a bi-weekly schedule. If you have any questions regarding your pay, contact your direct supervisor, a Learning Skills Coordinator, or the Payroll department at 250.365.1330.

• Pay Schedule 2020
• Peer tutoring log available here
• Work Study Time Sheet

Tax Information

Each year, by February 28, Selkirk College will mail out T4 slips for income tax purposes. If your address changes, please insure that the Payroll department has your updated address.