KNOWLEDGE @ MCLEAN
a tutoring collaborative with WILLIAM R. STIXRUD TUTORING SERVICE, LLC
Our Mission
KNOWLEDGE @ McLEAN provides learning access to area public and independent school students, as well as to McLean students, through the combined expertise of McLean classroom teachers and other skilled tutors, all of whom have received training through the tutoring course offered by William R. Stixrud, Ph.D. and Associates.
THE RIGHT TEAM: KNOWLEDGE
McLean School of Maryland is an independent, co-educational, college-preparatory K-12 school that proudly serves the Washington, DC metropolitan area. We build self-confidence in our students as they learn to advocate for themselves and to prepare for success in college and beyond. McLean School has an understanding of and an appreciation for students (and families) with a broad range of learning profiles. Our Mission states: “McLean makes learning accessible…”
William R. Stixrud, Ph.D. has been in private practice as a neuropsychologist for over 20 years and has offered specialized tutoring services for over 15 years. In addition to his private practice in Silver Spring, Maryland, where he evaluates and treats children and adolescents with learning disabilities and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, Dr. Stixrud is a member of the clinical faculties at Children’s National Medical Center and George Washington University Medical School. He has lectured widely at local private and public schools, as well as to parent and professional groups here and around the country.
THE RIGHT TECHNIQUE: Tutor Training
An ever-increasing number of Washington area students are struggling with the demands of the academic work required to succeed in school. For students with learning issues and diagnosed disabilities, traditionally effective teaching and tutoring strategies may not be enough. Dr. Stixrud’s training course is a comprehensive program of cutting-edge strategies for working with students with educational disabilities. The course was designed by Dr. Stixrud and focuses on understanding brain development and the neuropsychological processing that underlies learning problems. The course is taught by Dr. Stixrud himself and his highly experienced associates who contribute in their areas of expertise.
KnowlEdge tutors receive ongoing education and support, including in-service workshops from Dr. Stixrud and his associates as well as continued training and mentoring from other professional seminars and workshops that offer new information on techniques, strategies, and tools.
THE RIGHT TUTOR
Tutors in the KnowlEdge collaborative are McLean teachers and Dr. Stixrud-trained tutors. The minimum training for all tutors is participation in the 12-week tutor training course offered by William Stixrud and Associates.
KnowlEdge tutors work with students in elementary grades through high school. We have tutors who specialize in reading, writing, mathematics, science and history; in addition, our tutors address organizational issues, study skills and test taking strategies. Our tutors bring a wealth of experience and knowledge to their tutees, and they represent a wide array of specialties and personalities.
A number of factors are taken into consideration as we match the right tutor with each student. Recent evaluation results, report cards, testing and parent surveys help to identify areas of need. In addition to information about each student’s learning profile and specific tutoring needs, we also take into account tutor personality, interest, style, training and experience. Only then is a match made between student and tutor.
TUTORING SESSIONS
To maximize the benefits of one-on-one tutoring we recommend that students and tutors meet a minimum of two sessions per week. In some cases, students may need more intensive remediation to allow for adequate practice and the necessary time to develop connections in the brain that underlie the acquisition of new skills.
All sessions will take place on McLean School of Maryland’s campus in Potomac at a mutually agreed upon time. Tutors are available to meet with students after school daily and Saturday mornings. The individual sessions include analysis of the student’s learning profile, communication with the student’s family, and the expertise of a McLean learning specialist.
WHY KNOWLEDGE ?
Research has found that individuals with academic difficulties experience the most successful intervention through one-on-one tutoring. Thus, work one-on-one with students to develop specific skills and strategies that will improve their learning and the quality of their schoolwork.
Our approach to working with students is based on a neuropsychological model of academic skill development, which our tutors learn from Dr. Stixrud and from hands-on implementation as part of their training. Basic information about brain functioning helps our tutors understand why students learn easily or struggle — and how to better support them through brain-based teaching strategies. While grounded in the scientific study of learning and learning disorders, our approach also places enormous emphasis on caring and empathy to support the student.
KnowlEdge tutors have the right combination of classroom experience and training. Each student gains the benefits of working with a tutor who is trained in using the latest strategies and approaches supported by research and the expertise of McLean School classroom teachers.
NEXT STEPS
If you are interested in enrolling your child in the KnowlEdge tutoring collaborative, please fill out the Registration Form and mail or fax to:
KnowlEdge @ McLean McLean School of Maryland 8224 Lochinver Lane Potomac, Maryland 20854 Attention: Jenny Whichard
OR
301.299.1639 (fax) Attention: Jenny Whichard
You may return to this page for frequent updates or contact:
Jenny Whichard ‘92
SummerEdge & After School Programs Director
McLean School of Maryland
8224 Lochinver Lane
Potomac, Maryland 20854
240.395.0690
knowledge@mcleanschool.org