SLA Expectations & Procedures

Student Learning Assistant Responsibilities and Procedures

The Foote Academic Success Center was created to modernize and increase the learning environment to benefit UMass student-athletes. Student Learning Assistants promote a quality learning environment by exemplifying the following standards:

1. Student Learning Assistant believe all students can learn under favorable conditions.
2. Student Learning Assistants have knowledge of conversing to create growth mindsets.
3. Student Learning Assistants possess an interpersonal relationship style based on empathetic, problem solving responses that prioritize the student's perspective.

As staff members of the Learning Enhancement Program, Student Learning Assistants are expected to:

1. Plan and implement a weekly meeting structure with student-athletes to promote independent learning.
2. Discourage dependence on LEP staff. The Student Learning Assistant's objective is to teach student different thinking strategies for specific types of learning tasks in an effort to promote academic self-efficacy.
3. Communicate effectively with students and staff. The Student Learning Assistant is an integral part of a student's overall academic success plan. It is important to be punctual and consistently attend all scheduled appointments. Student Learning Assistants should proactively contact the SLA Coordinator at least 48 hours in advance to request time off for non-emergency situations. Missed appointments or staff meetings without notification will result in a formal warning and potential termination. The SLA Coordinator will assist the Student Learning Assistant in re-scheduling any missed appointments. Chronic absences or requests off will result in termination.
4. Create an environment that produces favorable learning conditions.

Summary statements about learning, retrieved from: http://www.ascd.org/publications/books/198179/chapters/Conditions-for-PowerfulLearning.aspx

People learn what is personally meaningful to them. People learn when they accept challenging but achievable goals. Learning is developmental.

Individuals learn differently.

People construct new knowledge by building on their current knowledge. Much learning occurs through social interaction.

People need feedback to learn.

Successful learning involves use of strategies—which themselves are learned.

A positive emotional climate strengthens learning.

Learning is influenced by the total environment.

5. Employ an interpersonal relationship style based on empathetic, problem solving responses that prioritize the student's perspective.

For students to learn, they must feel safe, engaged, connected, and supported. The Student Learning Assistant establishes a professional relationship with the student they are working with to create a productive and collaborative learning environment. The Student Learning Assistant helps the student create challenging, yet achievable goals and then guides the student through the use of appropriate learning strategies to accomplish those goals. The Student Learning Assistant provides feedback that is constructive and acknowledges the student's efforts to complete a task. This is an iterative process that requires patience, empathy, and attentiveness from the Student Learning Assistant.

6. Prepare and submit accurate of records of session with student-athletes by midnight the day of the appointment. Submit accurate payroll records of the time spent working with students, in Student Learning Assistant staff meetings, trainings, or individual meetings with the SLA Coordinator.

    After each appointment with a student-athlete the Student Learning Assistant is required to submit     a session report in EAB Campus. The session report form provides important feedback about the     student and the learning session. Academic Counselors review all session reports the following     morning and use the information to help student-athletes improve their classroom performance.

    Completing the session report is a fundamental requirement of this position. Failure to submit timely     session reports may result in the dismissal of the employee. Continued lack of timely submission     will be managed on an individual basis with the SLA Coordinator.

7. Attend tutor training and staff meetings as required.

    The Learning Enhancement Program is an important part of the academic support services we     provide to UMass student-athletes and we value the quality service you provide for all our     student-athletes. We appreciate your dedication to our program so we are committed to assisting     you in your growth professionally and providing a positive environment for that development. We     offer ongoing trainings during the semester through campus entities, in-person workshops, online     modules, and resourceful handouts.

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Student Learning Assistant Responsibilities and Procedures

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