Peer means equal – Treat everyone the same way no matter if they have a disability or not. People without disabilities are not better than people with disabilities.
Respect everyone – Each and every person deserves respect. If you show respect to a student with a disability, then others will observe you and begin to do the same.
Role Model – Part of the job of being a peer tutor is being a role model, both with your actions and with your words. Students with disabilities will look up to you. They see you as “normal” and they want to be like you. They see you doing all of the things that they dream of doing (having friends, hanging out, going places, driving, dating, etc.) so they figure if they act like you, then they will fit in. So, think before you act and ask yourself if this is something that you want others to do.
Follow the schedule – The teacher does have the expertise and the knowledge. If there is a schedule, then stick to it and do not deviate without permission, unless harm may be involved. There may be reasons for what has been scheduled that you do not know about. If you have questions, then ask. Hopefully, the teacher will explain things so that you will understand.
Confidentiality – This is a big issue in the area of special education. Do you want your weaknesses known and discussed openly? Do you want others to talk about the private issues of you life? Many things that you will observe and hear in the special education program are confidential, but by the nature of the situation, you will see or hear these things. Remember to keep these things in the classroom. If it troubles you, then talk with the teacher. If you are still troubled, talk with the school counselor. Students with disabilities have enough negativity working against them. If you go out and talk about them and what is going on, then you are not helping them fit in more. You are helping to increase the negative perceptions of others, and you are violating their right to confidentiality.
Sales Person – Many people in the school environment are afraid to come into the special education program or to interact with people with disabilities, due to their lack of knowledge. As a peer tutor, you will need to help them realize all of the positive things that go on in the classroom and all of the positive attributes of students with disabilities. You will need to share the positive and get others more familiar and aware that students with disabilities are no different and have a great deal to offer.
Teach others in your school – Teacher others in the school and the community about disabilities. Perhaps you can discuss with other students in the school how to react when a student with a disability behaves a certain way. Explain why this behavior is not appropriate and how to help the student learn what is appropriate. Help the other students in the school see the students with disabilities for whom they really are and what they have to contribute in this world.
Always report to the teacher any problems – If you observe any problems or “situations” that may arise, please alert the teacher. If it is a small situation that you feel as a peer you can handle (Hint: Would you handle it if it was one of your friends without a disability?), then try to handle it. If you feel that it is important for the teacher to handle, then discuss it with the teacher immediately. Remember that you are not there to be a ‘tattletale’. Treat the students with disabilities as you would any of your friends. If the student with the disability with whom you are working does something, what would you do and say to your friends without disabilities if they did the same thing?
Assist with schoolwork – Work with the student with disabilities on schoolwork. Do not tell them what to do or do it for them. You are not helping them learn when you do the work for them. You may need to make accommodations or modifications for them. You may need to do part of the work with their input, such as perhaps writing for them what they say. Do not let any student convince you that they can not do the work. Always ask the teacher what you should and should not do.
Be a friend – Remember that when you get out of school, you will have friends to hang out with, talk on the phone to, go out with. Students with moderate to severe disabilities often have very few friends. Some of these students are lucky if they get one phone call a week from a friend. How would that make you feel? When you and your friends want to go out and someone cannot drive, then you make other arrangements, so why not do that for the student with the disability? They may not have had such friends in the past. Sometimes, their only friends are the peer tutors that ‘come and go’ during class everyday. When class starts, the peer tutors are their ‘friends’ and when class is over, unfortunately some peer tutors walk out the door and do not think about or see them again until the next day. How would you feel if your friends only interacted with you during class time? You certainly would not call it a friendship! That kind of relationship is being a classmate, and nothing more. True friendships are developed over time and not just in the classroom. Please make and take the time to be a true friend. You do not need to (nor can you) spend every moment with your friends, but all friendships require a different amount of work to keep going. Nor can you choose to be friends with everyone. There are some people we simply seem to gravitate to more than others. However, this may be an opportunity for new friendships for you - Just look at these friendships as ones that can last forever.
Have fun – Always come to class with a smile and
be ready to go. As you will see, the mood that you walk into the classroom
with will affect the entire classroom, especially the student with whom
you are working. He/she will feel your vibes and will share your mood.
He/she cares a lot for you and will worry with you or celebrate with you.
Why should I become a Peer Tutor?