Tiger Time: Bay-Waveland Tutoring Program

Supporting the Future Generations of Hancock County

Mission Statement:

To create an environment in which tutors participate with parents, teachers, and students help youth reach their full potential by modeling and encouraging positive life choices.

Vision:

To see Hancock County restored through the development of our youth through the fostering of healthy relationships.

Join us on October 5th, at 6pm in the Bay St. Louis Public Library Meeting room for an information and orientation meeting. Applications will be available there, or you may download them directly from this website. Please note the applications are DUE BY FRIDAY, AUGUST 20TH.

How do I apply to be a tutor?

Tutors must fill out and submit an application, interest survey, information release form, and be willing to submit to a background and criminal history check. Following the application process, candidates will participate in a personal interview.

How will I be assigned to my student?

Tutors accepted into the program will be matched with a participating student, based upon of the interest surveys, applications, schedules, and teacher/parent recommendations. Only when the potential match has been anonymously discussed and accepted by both the tutor and the student, will tutors and students be given their match's specific name. We work very hard to ensure a good match. 

What will being a tutor require?

• Time—the time commitment of 45 min per week, not including travel time, is foundational. Tutors should pick times at which they are consistently available.
• Energy—meeting with students will require both mental and emotional energy.  Tutors should be prepared to invest in a child's life, and communicate with the student's teachers on a regular basis.
• Commitment—tutors will be expected to treat their meetings with students as seriously as a business meeting. Tutors will be expected to arrange other schedules around their meeting times, and absences should only occur under extenuating circumstances. If committing for a full year sounds like too much, the program is not for you. Consistency is key to developing a meaningful relationship.
• Training and Communication—tutors will be asked to attend mandatory training 1-2 times throughout the year. Tutors will also be expected to communicate regularly both with the program staff of the BWSD Tutoring Program. This communication will help us to develop the most effective, consistent program which truly benefits both the students, teachers, parents, and tutors themselves.

Frequently Asked Questions?

• I can not teach a child to read or write, how could I help as a tutor?--You do NOT need a degree in elementary education to join our tutoring program. Can you read a book out loud?  Can you play a simple math game with a student?  Can you offer encouragement when they are frustrated by slow progress, or listen to them as they describe last night's base ball game?  Then you can DEFINITELY be a tutor!  We must be very clear here--it is not your job to teach these students algebra or how to read.  That's why they have teachers!   Your job is to encourage them. 
  

• Why only 45 min?  Can anyone accomplish anything in that time?--You will be amazed at what it means to a student for you, as an adult, to carve just 45 min of consistent time out to spend with them.  We realize 45 min is a short time, but as we said above, it is not your job to teach them algebra or how to read.  Your job is to act as a supporter, an encourager, and a friend who believes in them.  You are more than welcome to attend students sporting events, plays, etc--and we encourage you to do so if you feel comfortable.  However, if all you can do is spend a consistent 45 min a week with your student for an entire school you, that is an incredible gift worth more than you know.  

***Please note that we have changed program name from "mentoring program," to "Tiger Time: Tutoring Program."   This is intentional for a number of reasons.  Below the file names reflect the "Mentor" label, but have been corrected to reflect the "Tiger Time Tutoring Program" name throughout the actual files.