Re: selecting tutors

[becky.rickly@umich.edu (Becky Rickly)]

I'll second Kate's observation that this doesn't necessarily *have* to be
an "either/or" situation, and I really like her idea about mentoring, esp.
with this student.  I think your main concern is NOT that this student
would be a good tutor, but that she would upset the dynamics of the forming
class community.  If that's your main concern, and if you believe that the
classroom communication really does impact how successfully a group of
tutors will be (I think it definitely does have an effect), then perhaps
you should wait a year and interview her again.  If, however, your main
concern is over the "ethos" she presents w/ older students, why not use her
to respond to OWL papers? (on the Internet, no one knows you're 15....)

Finally, you've obviously spoken w/ the tutors that interviewed this woman.
Have you spoken to her?  I'm wondering if you were honest with her about
your fears what she would do...?

Btw, I'm very impressed that you include tutors in the process of selecting
new tutors.  We solicit names from our tutors, but we don't include them in
the selection process....yet.  I'm going to suggest it today!

Best of luck--keep us informed!

--Becky