Mesquite ISD is hiring tutors for AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination), an advanced academic and college readiness program in middle and high schools across the district. Students don’t have to be proficient in every subject to help. Part of the AVID process is stimulating student-led group discussion to collaborate and solve problems together. In other words, AVID tutors help students help themselves.

Alisha Chapman, district coordinator for AVID, has led the program in Mesquite ISD for two years and has 19 years of experience in education. Since the AVID program’s release going district-wide in 2023, the need for tutors is greater than ever. Chapman shares her experience on facilitating the program and why tutors are a vital resource for students.

Q: How would you describe AVID?

A: It is a college readiness and career readiness elective offered in grades seven through 12. We have sixth grade AVID at one of our middle schools. Kids get to learn how to advocate for themselves, how to study, how to take notes, how to ask better questions. They get to learn about college and career. They get to learn life skills that you wouldn’t learn in any other classroom.

Q: Would you say AVID tutors make or break the program?

A: Tutors are very, very important to our program and to the work that we want our students to accomplish. By facilitating the study groups, tutors are helping students understand where they are really confused in a certain subject or on a question. They’re really key in helping build relationships and helping our students learn how to ask questions and know that it’s OK to ask for help.

Q: Who should consider applying for the AVID tutor positions?

A: We give first dibs to an AVID tutor position for current college students, so anyone that is a local current college student or just recently graduated from college. Someone who wants to go into education, this is a great opportunity for them to get real classroom experience, build those relationships, build those connections inside the classroom and to really see, like, is this something that I really want to do for the future?

Tutoring for AVID is a part-time, paid opportunity throughout the school year. It entails working in a school setting where the possibilities to network with teachers and professionals in education are endless.

Chapman said, “If I know that you want to be a teacher, and I know what subject you want to teach, and I had a good relationship with you, and you’re a great AVID tutor, we’re definitely going to push your name to principals or to coordinators who we know that there are openings.”

To apply, visit mesquiteisd.org/youbelong, view current openings, and locate “AVID Tutor” in the list of “Part-Time/Hourly” positions. For further questions regarding being hired as an AVID tutor, contact Alisha Chapman at [email protected].