Adil Guillen
Tutor Jedi Goliat instructing two students under supervision (edited by Blair Provencal)
The Academic Success and Tutoring Center has become a second home to many padawan learners on campus seeking a deeper understanding on the subjects they’re studying at Solano Community College.
Among the many dedicated and specialized tutors stands Jedidiah “Jedi” Goliat, who has now worked at ASTC for the past two years. During which time, he’s had a first-person account of the success they’ve set out for as a program, while witnessing the struggles still ongoing.
As a Communications major, joining ASTC seemed like a natural step in order for Master Jedi to gain experience instructing and becoming a better public speaker. Though, entering a new world brought about unforeseen challenges, where branching out into other subjects became necessary.
The need for more tutors may outweigh other struggles ASTC face, but, according to Jedi, that has not deterred their mission to make a difference in our community. As recruits are made aware, if you have the expertise, you must adapt to every individual student’s needs.
“Most people think that a tutor carries the conversation during a session, but it’s actually meant to be carried by the student. That way, students get a chance to direct what they need help on, [thus] helping the tutor draw out what students know or reinforce what they’ve just learned”, Goliat explains.
Understanding how to help is only half the battle when lack of representation on campus has made it hard for ASTC to stand out.
“People forget we’re here, and that’s if they know about ASTC. Most people don’t really feel the need to seek academic help and when they do, they find it hard to fit into their schedule.”
Jedi describes the experience of having a wave of incoming students only when they’re either drowning in schoolwork or during important dates such as Finals as something to be expected every season but nonetheless inconsistent with their overall goal.
“I want to see new faces, whether you need help from a tutor or just to study. We want to see students in here before they’re in trouble.”
“People think you need to meet with a tutor in order to take advantage of this study space, that’s not true. This is a safe place to do your work, use the resources Solano offers and if you happen to need someone to guide you, a tutor is always available.”
This in particular is evident from the moment you walk into ASTC, as one room that stays packed is led by Professor Larry Bartlow who teaches Anatomy.
And while that may be one success to celebrate, Jedi envisions that being able to recreate that kind of environment in other subjects will generate a more positive impact.
However, the level of responsibility students instill within themselves determines how seriously one may be approaching their studies and knowing when it’s time to seek help. To our Jedi Master, this is preferred but not always the reality. He believes you can still salvage a semester no matter how lost you may feel throughout your academic journey.
The belief that tutors should just “give away answers” is a notion that no one subscribes to because it’s both a disservice to students and can be questioned ethically as plagiarism.
“I highly recommend becoming a tutor to gain a new perspective on what it’s like to be a student and a teacher. Through this experience, I’ve realized I have a gift for breaking down information and simplifying it for others to understand. I’m a people person, I really enjoy the interpersonal relationships I come to have with students and it prepares me for the future.”
Jedi explains that if you plan to become an instructor, you won’t have the luxury of picking and choosing who you teach. So being able to build relationships as a tutor opened doors for him to explore his own aspirations.
Being able to collaborate is a huge part of the initiative Jedi devotes his time to, bringing in his expertise in Communications to fields of study that may be a far cry from simple essay prompts.
“Solano has given me access to so many resources and experiences that I value because it’s created a better community.”
ASTC cannot reach its full potential unless students take advantage of these opportunities. The more this resource is utilized, the more resources Solano will be able to provide to students in need.
Do or do not, there is no try.
