FAQ SI Leaders – SI Media

Janice Zummo, Associate Dean, Academic Affairs, jzummo@bmcc.cuny.edu

Gregory Farrell, Director, Learning Resource Center, gfarrell@bmcc.cuny.edu

Nandrani Algu, Tutorial/SI Manager, LRC, nalgu@bmcc.cuny.edu

Susan Thai, LRC Training Manager, sthai@bmcc.cuny.edu

Susan Stratton, Assistant Adjunct Professor, MEA, SI Advisory Board Chair, Executive Producer SI Media, sjstratton123@gmail.com

Johannes Familton, Assistant Professor, Mathematics, jfamilton@bmcc.cuny.edu

Claudia Terry, Instructor, Speech, Communications and Theater Arts, cterry@bmcc.cuny.edu

Anna Salvati, Associate Professor, CIS, asalvati@bmcc.cuny.edu

Mohammed Azhar, Associate Professor, CIS, mazhar@bmcc.cuny.edu

Peter Hoontis, Assistant Professor, Business Management, phoontis@bmcc.cuny.edu

Chris Stein, Chair, MEA, cstein@bmcc.cuny.edu

Chris Vinsonhaler, Assistant Professor, English, chris.vinsonhaler@gmail.com

Jennifer Longley, Assistant Professor, Teacher Education, jlongley@bmcc.cuny.edu

Carlo Diego, Assistant Professor, MEA, Media Arts and Technology, SI Media, cdiego@bmcc.cuny.edu

Michelle Stocklin, SI Leader, MEA, Media Arts and Technology, BMCC student, simichellemes152tuesdayfall21@gmail.com

Melissa Andrade, SI Leader, Teacher Education, Hunter College student, mellandrade23@gmail.com

Nicole Radix, Assistant to Associate Dean Zummo, nradix@bmcc.cuny.edu

Ruby Chopra, Coordinator, LRC, rchopra@bmcc.cuny.edu

Danae Sanchez, Coordinator, LRC, dsanchez@bmcc.cuny.edu

Christopher Shults, Dean of Institutional Effectiveness and Strategic Planning, cshults@bmcc.cuny.edu

BMCC Letter Feb 2022

SI Leader Sign-up in Seven Easy Steps

1. SELECTION AS A SI LEADER
Check with your department chair or departmental SI administrator to see which of your Professors (SI Faculty) use or want to use SI Leaders. On the other hand, a Professor may have already asked a student to be their SI Leader.

2. SCOPE OF SI WORK
Potential SI Leaders should meet with their potential Professors (SI Faculty) to make sure the SI Leader’s school schedule meshes with the Professor’s course schedule. SI Leaders should double-check that they can attend the course for all 15 weeks of the semester and also have time to, not only join students in class for the weekly classes, but also for potential SI sessions before and after class and on social media.

The total number of hours of SI work per week depends on how many hours the class meets each week. For example, if a class meets three hours per week, the SI Leader will be paid to work a total of eight hours per week: three hours of in-class work and up to five additional hours of SI work outside of class; meeting with the Professor and students out of class and on social media. Please note that all contact with students, whether meeting in class, in person or via email and social media, all counts as SI work.

3. SI HOURS
When the SI Leader and Professor agree on a course and times for in and out of class sessions, the Professor (SI Faculty) sends a request to the departmental SI Administrator and/or to the LRC (Learning Resource Center) to Nandrani Algu with the following information: SI leader – name, department, contact information and BMCC email; and for SI Faculty – name, department, contact information and BMCC email Course/Section/Semester.

4. PAPERWORK
Nandrani Algu will provide SI Leaders with a form to fill out to input the hours they work with students each week. The form should also detail the following information: the name of the SI Leader, the course name and the classroom time(s) and place(s) where the SI Leader meets with students. The form should also detail all the names of the students they meet with in and outside of the classroom, listing how they met (in person, online, or remote) and when (date and time), and the length of each SI session.

5. SALARY
SI Leaders should disclose their full academic record to Nandrani Algu or to their SI departmental administrators as SI Leader salaries vary depending on whether students have previously earned a degree, at BMCC or elsewhere. The salary of the SI Leader also depends upon the total number of hours per week the class meets each week. For example, if a class meets three hours per week, the SI Leader will be paid to work a total of eight hours per week: three hours of in-class work, and up to five additional hours of SI work outside of class; meeting with the Professor and students out of class and on social media. SI Leader hours may vary week to week.

6. HUMAN RESOURCES
Nandrani Algu provides SI Leaders with the Human Resources paperwork. After the paperwork is completed SI Leaders deliver it to Human Resources, which is located on the 7th floor of the Main Building, Room S717, 199 Chambers Street, New York, NY 10007; Phone: (212) 220-8300, Fax: (212) 220-2364, https://www.bmcc.cuny.edu/hr/, Hours of Operation: Monday-Friday 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM.

7. ORIENTATION
It is important for all SI leaders and their SI Faculty to attend a SI Orientation session before the semester starts. Orientation sessions are organized by the LRC (Learning Resource Center) in January for the coming Spring term and in early June for the following Fall term. The LRC contacts all SI Leaders and their SI Faculty with the details.

You are all set!

LRC (Learning Resource Center) SI Contacts:
Nandrani Algu, Learning Resource Center Tutorial/SI Manager: nalgu@bmcc.cuny.edu, LRC (Learning Resource Center), Room: S-510, 199 Chambers Street (Main Building) Phone: (212) 220-1383.

Two SI Coordinators are also available to assist faculty and students:
Ruby Chopra rchopra@bmcc.cuny.edu and Danae Sanchez dsanchez@bmcc.cuny.edu can be reached at the LRC (Learning Resource Center), Room: S-510, 199 Chambers Street (Main Building); Phone: (212) 220-1380.

For further information, send an email to lrc@bmcc.cuny.edu.

Here are two easy steps for faculty who want to be SI faculty and mentor a SI Leader in and out of their classroom…

Faculty who are interested in using a SI Leader in their course must make to a request to have a SI leader in the classroom by emailing Nandrani Algu the course/section and name and contact information of the SI leader.
Note: It is mandatory that all faculty attend an SI Orientation session in early Spring for the coming Spring term or in early June for the following Fall term.

You are all set!

LRC (Learning Resource Center) SI Contacts:

Nandrani Algu, Learning Resource Center Tutorial/SI Manager: nalgu@bmcc.cuny.edu, LRC (Learning Resource Center), Room: S-510, 199 Chambers Street (Main Building) Phone: (212) 220-1383.

Two SI Coordinators are also available to assist faculty and students:

Ruby Chopra rchopra@bmcc.cuny.edu and Danae Sanchez dsanchez@bmcc.cuny.edu can be reached at the LRC (Learning Resource Center), Room: S-510, 199 Chambers Street (Main Building); Phone: (212) 220-1380.

For further information, send an email to lrc@bmcc.cuny.edu

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enrollment-retention-completion-2021

What is a Supplemental Instruction Leader?
A Supplemental Instruction (SI) Leader is a paid CUNY employee who promotes peer-to-peer learning. First and foremost, a SI Leader is a student advocate working directly with students under the supervision of a Professor (SI Faculty). SI Leaders work both in and out of the classroom and via social media to promote student success, increase attendance, and model what it is to be a great student. By working directly with students, SI Leaders also provide early intervention, time management advice, and assistance on specific assignments.

What does a Supplemental Instruction Leader do?
A Supplemental Instruction (SI) Leader helps students with further learning and understanding of the course in partnership with the Professor. This includes assisting in the classroom and holding one-on-one and group study sessions outside of the classroom, and through social media. A SI Leader is also a mentor to the students and leads by example.

How can BMCC students find out if their department uses Supplemental Instruction (SI)?
Students often have SI Leaders in their courses who they can ask about the SI program. Students can also ask their Professors if there are open places for new SI Leaders in the course in the coming semester. Sometimes a professor asks a student directly if they are interested in becoming a paid SI Leader. But more often than not, SI Faculty select a student who has been a good student in their class to be their SI Leader for the next semester. SI Faculty begin by observing a student’s performance and subject matter expertise during the semester. Many Professors look for students who exhibit leadership, have the ‘helping gene’ and enjoy working with other students or select a SI Leader who has been a model student in their course, who is often a high-performing student, who is easy to get along with, and who Professors trust to work independently, and is also a good communicator. In some cases, Professors choose a SI Leader from a departmental roster of students who have expressed interest in working as a SI Leader. Other SI Faculty look for students who are interested and adept in working with students via social media or who are interested in teaching as a profession, and/or show enthusiasm for innovation in the classroom. SI Faculty also reach out to their chair or to department colleagues or the departmental SI representative to find students who need employment and meet the criteria for SI Leaders, i.e. students who have a Social Security number and are BMCC students or BMCC graduates. Students can also express their interest in becoming a SI Leader by contacting their departmental chair or SI representative or connect with the Learning Resource Center (LRC) representative Nandrani Algu, Tutorial/SI Manager: nalgu@bmcc.cuny.edu, LRC, 199 Chambers Street, Main Building, 5th Floor, Room: S-510. Phone: (212) 220-1383. Two LRC SI Coordinators are also available to assist students: Ruby Chopra, rchopra@bmcc.cuny.edu, rchopra@bmcc.cuny.edu, and DSANCHEZ@bmcc.cuny.edu.

What qualifications are needed to become a SI Leader?
In most cases, a SI Leader has taken the exact same class before, knows the class syllabus, knows how the Professor teaches the course, and is a subject matter expert. SI Leaders also bring their own experience into the classroom for the benefit of students who are taking the same course. Alternatively, SI Leaders are familiar with the course having taken it with another Professor or have a working knowledge of the subject matter and syllabus.

Do SI Faculty require their SI Leaders to have previously taken their course(s)?No, but it is suggested. It is very helpful for SI Leaders to have the advantage of having successfully passed the same course. In this way, SI Leaders not only know the subject matter, but the habits, pace and teaching style of the Professor. However, some Professors choose SI Leaders who have subject matter expertise and who they know, not from having had them in a similar or related course, but who are referred to them by department chairs or colleagues. If a SI Leader has taken the class before, he/she/they know(s) the class syllabus, know(s) how the Professor teaches the course, and is a subject matter expert. SI Leaders also bring their own experience into the classroom for the benefit of students who are taking the same course.

What are some of the benefits of being a SI Leader?
In addition to being paid for their work in and out of the classroom, the SI Leader position is seen as a resume builder. SI Leaders learn to prepare content for SI sessions based on lectures and course content, and schedule their own SI sessions independent of classes with their Professor. SI Leaders learn teamwork by concentrating on the power of peer learning from a student’s point of view by encouraging collaborative learning. Not only does a SI Leader add value to student learning, but their own communication, organizational and mentorship skills are enriched through the experience. At the end of their SI Leader duties, students often receive a Letter of Recommendation from their SI Faculty to add to their resume. There is also the possibility of ongoing employment as a SI Leader.

Are SI Leaders similar to tutors, graduate students and teaching assistants?
A SI Leader is a student or graduate in good standing within the BMCC and CUNY communities. But SI Leaders are not tutors, graduate students or teaching assistants. Rather, they are a new hybrid of student advocate, peer-to-peer advisor and subject matter expert, paid to work in and out of the classroom with students one-on-one or in small groups and on social media. While tutors, graduate students and teaching assistants may relecture the Professor’s material, grade assignments, proctor tests and are often seen as superior to students—a kind of academic elite—SI Leaders attend class with students and concentrate on peer-to-peer learning, encouraging collaborative learning and schedule their own SI sessions independent of the professor’s lectures or class time. A SI Leader is an advocate for the student first and works for the Professor second. A SI Leader works hand-in-hand with the students in the class but does not grade or teach.

What are the formal responsibilities of SI Leaders?
Once the semester begins, a SI Leader attends class and then submits a timesheet once a week with the hours they have worked in and out of the classroom with details of the students they met with, including when and where they met. Timesheets are turned into the departmental SI representative or to Nandrani Algu,Tutorial/SI Manager: nalgu@bmcc.cuny.edu, LRC, (Learning Resource Center), 199 Chambers Street, Main Building, 5th Floor, Room: S-510. Phone: (212) 220-1383. Two LRC SI Coordinators are also available to assist faculty and students: Ruby Chopra, chopra@bmcc.cuny.edu, and DSANCHEZ@bmcc.cuny.edu.

Can SI Leaders be BMCC graduates?
Yes. More often than not, SI Faculty continue to use their SI leaders after they leave BMCC and go on to a four-year institution. Some SI Faculty have used the same SI Leaders for over six years as students progress from BMCC to a four-year school and even graduate school. Some SI Leaders are BMCC graduates who return to work with their former Professors or graduate students who have an interest in the course subject matter.

Is there an age limit for SI Leaders?
No. A SI Leader may be a BMCC student or former BMCC student who is attending another educational institution or is seeking employment. SI Leaders are CUNY employees. CUNY is committed to providing an educational and workplace environment free from any form of unlawful discrimination and sexual misconduct. Moreover, CUNY promotes and supports a diverse culture of excellence, mutual respect, inclusion, and professionalism. Please see CUNY’s Policies on Equal Opportunity and Nondiscrimination and https://www.bmcc.cuny.edu/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/non-discrimination-updated-August-2020.pdf.

Is there a dress code for SI Leaders?
No, but SI Leaders are CUNY employees and business casual is suggested, as it fosters a continued sense of professionalism in and out of the classroom.

Can SI Faculty use SI Leaders for in-person and online classes and in their synchronous, asynchronous and hybrid classes?
At BMCC, Supplemental Instruction has proven to be adaptable for all kinds of teaching and learning experiences—in-person classroom instruction, on Blackboard, and in Zoom classes. Increasingly, SI Leaders work with students via email, on scheduled video calls, in breakout rooms, and by means of a wide variety of social media platforms from group chats to Facebook to WhatsApp. SI remains highly adaptable for a variety of educational formats, such as synchronous teaching in real-time, asynchronous teaching when students can learn on their own schedule within a given time frame, as well as blended learning in the classroom and online.

How often is a Supplemental Instruction Leader paid?
Once a SI Leader is in the payroll system, the SI Leader is paid twice a month for 15 weeks/the entire semester. SI Leaders work between 5 and 8 hours per week.

Does a Supplemental Instruction Leader receive a W-2 Form?
Yes, a SI Leader receives a W-2 Form through the BMCC Human Resources Department https://www.bmcc.cuny.edu/hr/, 199 Chambers Street, Room S717, New York, NY 10007, phone: (212) 220-8300.

Does a SI Leader earn credits toward their degree or certification?
No, SI Leaders do not receive credits toward their course of study but are paid for their work as a SI Leader as a CUNY employee.

Can a Supplemental Instruction Leader be employed for more than one semester?
Yes. A SI Leader can be employed for more than one semester by invitation only, as long as it is agreeable with the Professor, the department and School Administration.

How do SI Leaders work with SI Faculty in the classroom?
SI Faculty work with SI Leaders each in their own way but some generally accepted ways include the following:
- A SI Leader is required to be present, active and engaged in the classroom during the hours of the class.
- Many SI Faculty require the SI Leader to be present before and after class for some informal one-on-one time with students.
- SI Leaders work with students during lecture periods to reinforce the Professor’s lesson plans.
- SI Leaders meet with students before class.
- SI Leaders explain concepts based on their experience in the course.
- SI Leaders chat with students right after class to clarify classroom topics.
- SI Leaders demonstrate note-taking.
- SI Leaders model appropriate classroom behavior.
- SI Leaders participate with students during small group work.
- SI Leaders arrange to work with students outside of class time in a designated study area, library or on social media (WhatsApp, FaceTime, Google Hangout, group chat, and text).
- SI Leaders schedule out-of-class time informally on campus at the BMCC cafes or in library rooms or study spaces at Fiterman or in the main building, 199 Chambers Street, which SILs can book. Click on this link: http://lib1.bmcc.cuny.edu/services/reserve-a-room/.http://lib1.bmcc.cuny.edu/services/reserve-a-room/

How do SI Faculty use their SI Leaders outside of the classroom?
- SI Leaders hold study review sessions before quizzes, tests or exams.
- SI Leaders meet with students individually, in small groups or teams.
- SI Leaders are often available to meet informally with students before class, asking how they are doing and if they have had any specific problems with homework assignments.
- In lab settings, at the discretion of the SI Faculty, SI Leaders visit desks or workstations during the lecture time to assist students with specific problems. In the classroom and on video calls, SI Leaders are also available before and after class and at class break time.
- Having the SI Leader in class helps foster a sense of trust between students and their SI Leader.

Are SI Faculty present during SI Leader sessions outside of class time?
As a rule, SI Faculty do not work with SI Leaders and students outside of class, as this is the time for SI Leaders and students to work together as peers without faculty supervision. Outside of class is a time reserved for SI Leaders and students to work one-on-one, in small study groups and through social media, such as WhatsApp, FaceTime and/or via text.

How do SI Faculty encourage students to attend sessions with their SI Leader?
- Faculty can work with their SI Leaders to offer quiz or test review sessions in small groups online and in-person.
- SI Faculty suggest SI Leaders fit into student schedules by working with students on social media (WhatsApp, FaceTime, text, etc.).
- Set aside a designated study room in the Main Building or Fiterman before and after class and/or at the same time each week where students are likely to find their SI Leaders. Rooms can be reserved by SI Leaders online for study rooms at Fiterman Hall, 245 Greenwich Street, NY NY 10007, and in the library in the main building, 199 Chambers Street NY NY 10007 (http://lib1.bmcc.cuny.edu/services/reserve-a-room/)
- Have SI Faculty create a mandatory class-wide low-stakes assignment for students to discuss with their SI Leader.
- Have SI Leaders select two or three students to meet with informally in a group after class on a weekly basis to review the upcoming assignments.
- SI Faculty can offer extra credit to students who attend SI sessions.

How do SI Faculty monitor the time of their SI Leader(s)?
It is suggested that SI Faculty meet with their SI Leaders before the semester begins to go over the syllabus, lesson plans and schedule. SI Faculty often meet with their SI Leaders weekly before each class to review the lesson plan of the day and meet after class to discuss which students need assistance. SI Faculty usually check in with their SI Leaders on a weekly basis but no formal monitoring is required. However, each SI Leader must turn in their individual hours, details of the students they met with and where they met them, to their departmental SI Representative or to the LRC (Learning Resource Center) on a weekly basis.

When do SI Faculty select their SI Leaders?
Professors often ask students after midterms to check their availability and interest in working as a SI Leader for the following semester. As a rule, it is important for students to be selected before they register for the next semester to ensure their availability for the following semester, and to make sure there is time for the student to be enrolled as a SI Leader and a CUNY “new hire” employee, which can sometimes take several months. However, selection of the SI Leader is always at the discretion of the Professor.

How do SI Faculty help students register as SI Leaders?
The Departmental Chair and the LRC (Learning Resource Center) personnel are the first steps towards securing formal recognition and payment for a SI Leader. Please contact your departmental SI Representative or Nandrani Algu,Tutorial/SI Manager: nalgu@bmcc.cuny.edu, LRC, 199 Chambers Street, Main Building, 5th Floor, Room: S-510. Phone: (212) 220-1383. Two LRC SI Coordinators are also available to assist faculty and students: Ruby Chopra, rchopra@bmcc.cuny.edu, and DSANCHEZ@bmcc.cuny.edu.

Is there an orientation session for first-time SI Leaders and their SI Faculty?
All prospective SI Leaders are asked to attend an orientation session prior to their first semester working as a SI Leader. Typically, LRC (Learning Resource Center) Orientation sessions are held in January prior to the Spring semester and in June prior to the Fall semester. It is highly recommended that SI Faculty attend orientation sessions with their first-time SI Leaders.

What if SI Leaders and their SI Faculty cannot attend orientation?
It is suggested that SI Faculty and SI Leaders attend orientation and training sessions together. If SI Faculty and or the SI Leader cannot attend the orientation, special arrangements can be made to meet with the following members of the LRC (Learning Resource Center): Nandrani Algu, Tutorial/SI Manager: nalgu@bmcc.cuny.edu, LRC, 199 Chambers Street, Main Building, 5th Floor, Room: S-510. Phone: (212) 220-1383. Two LRC SI Coordinators are also available to assist faculty and students: Ruby Chopra, rchopra@bmcc.cuny.edu, and Denae Sanchez, DSANCHEZ@bmcc.cuny.edu.

Is ongoing training available for the SI Leader throughout the semester?
Yes, a SI Leader receives formal orientation along with other SI Leaders before the semester begins and has continuing informal training and mentorship from the Professor of the class throughout the semester.

How does a SI Leader resolve a complaint against them?
If a complaint is lodged against a SI Leader, the Professor will be the first one to review the complaint and take the appropriate action.

What does a SI Leader do if they need to suddenly leave the job due to unforeseen circumstances?
If a SI Leader needs to suddenly leave their job due to unforeseen circumstances, they should give notice to their SI Professor and to their Departmental SI Coordinator.

If the SI Leader is having issues on the job with their SI Faculty/Professor, whom can they speak with to resolve the matter?
If the SI Leader is having issues in the classroom with the Professor, they can speak with their Departmental SI Coordinator about their concerns.

What professional recognition does a SI Leader receive?
SI Leaders receive a digital Certificate of Completion from Dean Zummo, BMCC’s Associate Dean of Academic Affairs, for each course and semester in which they participate in the SI program. SI Leaders include these digital certificates in their academic portfolio and they are seen as a resume builder.

Who created Supplemental Instruction?
Supplemental instruction was researched and developed at the University of Missouri-Kansas City (UMKC) in the early 70s. Deanna Martin, then a young graduate student in reading education, was hired to work on a small but forward-thinking grant, designed to help reduce attrition among minority professional medical school students. It was Martin who coined the term Supplemental Instruction.

How do SI Faculty and educators view Supplemental Instruction?
Supplemental Instruction (SI) is a form of peer-to-peer instruction that facilitates the development of academic skills in the context of a specific course at the post-secondary level (Hurley & Gilbert, 2008); it also facilitates successful course completion. In SI, a model peer, a student or graduate who has previously been successful in the course, structures study sessions that allows students currently taking the course to learn how to study effectively (Wilcox & Jacobs, 2008). With the skills developed, these SI Leaders will build their independence as learners (Burmeister, 2013).

What is the history of Supplemental Instruction at BMCC?
Supplemental Instruction (SI) is a model of collaborative learning that has been used at BMCC since 2016. It is based on the original model for SI researched and developed at the University of Missouri-Kansas City (UMKC) and certified from the International Center for Supplemental Instruction. At BMCC, SI was originally used for courses that were identified as high risk rather than targeting students who are at risk of not being academically successful at the post-secondary level (Jacobs & Stone, 2008). High-risk courses have historically had at least 30% of students earning a D or F grade, or withdrawing from the course (Jacobs & Stone, 2008). SI study sessions were available to all students in the high-risk course, rather than catering only to identified at-risk students (Jacobs & Stone, 2008). However, in recent years, SI at BMCC has broadened from its use in Pathways courses, such as Mathematics and ESL (English as a Second Language) to a wider variety of courses, such as English, Speech, Teacher Education, Music and Art, CIS (Computer Information Systems), Business, Criminal Justice, and Media Arts and Technology.

How many students at BMCC have used Supplemental instruction?
As of Fall 2021, more than 24,000 students have used Supplemental Instruction. Research studies show that students who attend SI sessions earn statistically higher final course grades than those who do not attend SI sessions, and this includes students who are under-prepared when they enter the course.

Is Supplemental Instruction used outside BMCC?
Yes. Supplemental Instruction is used throughout the CUNY system in NYC, and at two- and four-year colleges, both public and private, throughout the United States and internationally from the U.K. to Scandinavia to Europe to South Africa. Professors here and abroad share the mission that SI is a program to help students master course content while developing effective learning strategies and critical thinking skills, and strengthens positive study habits.

1. What is Supplemental Instruction?
Supplemental Instruction (SI) is a form of peer-to-peer instruction that facilitates the development of academic skills in the context of a specific course at the post-secondary level (Hurley & Gilbert, 2008); it also facilitates successful course completion. In SI, a model peer, a student or graduate who has previously been successful in the course, structures study sessions that allows students currently taking the course to learn how to study effectively (Wilcox & Jacobs, 2008). With the skills developed, these SI Leaders will build their independence as learners (Burmeister, 2013).

2. Who created Supplemental Instruction?
Supplemental instruction was researched and developed at the University of Missouri-Kansas City (UMKC) in the early 70s. Deanna Martin, then a young graduate student in reading education, was hired to work on a small, but forward thinking grant, designed to help reduce attrition among minority professional medical school students. It was Martin who coined the term Supplemental Instruction.

3. What is the history of Supplemental Instruction at BMCC?
Supplemental Instruction (SI) is a model of collaborative learning that has been used at BMCC since 2016. It is based on the original model for SI researched and developed at the University of Missouri-Kansas City (UMKC) and certified from the International Center for Supplemental Instruction. At BMCC, SI was originally used for courses that were identified as high risk rather than targeting students who are at risk of not being academically successful at the post-secondary level (Jacobs & Stone, 2008). High-risk courses have historically had at least 30% of students earning a D or F grade, or withdrawing from the course (Jacobs & Stone, 2008). SI study sessions were available to all students in the high-risk course, rather than catering only to identified at-risk students (Jacobs & Stone, 2008).

However, in recent years, SI at BMCC has broadened from its use in Pathways courses, such as Mathematics and ESL (English as a Second Language), to a wider variety of courses, such as English, Speech, Teacher Education, Music and Art, CIS (Computer Information Systems), Business, Criminal Justice, and Media Arts and Technology. As of Fall 2021, over 24,000 students have been helped by the SI program at BMCC.

4. Is Supplemental Instruction used outside BMCC?
Yes. Supplemental Instruction is used throughout the CUNY system in NYC, and at two- and four-year colleges, both public and private, throughout the United States and internationally from the U.K. to Scandinavia to Europe to South Africa. Professors here and abroad share the mission that SI helps students master course content while developing effective learning strategies and critical thinking skills, and strengthens positive study habits. Studies show that students who attend SI sessions earn statistically higher final course grades than those who do not attend (this includes students who are under-prepared when they enter the course).

5. How can BMCC faculty find out if their department uses Supplemental Instruction?
Departmental chairs and departmental SI representatives are often the first point of contact for information about SI. However, the LRC (Learning Resource Center) is another resource. Please contact your chair or Nandrani Algu, the Learning Resource Center Tutorial/SI Manager, email: nalgu@bmcc.cuny.edu. The Learning Resource Center is located in the Main Building, 199 Chambers Street, 5th Floor, Room: S-510. Phone: (212) 220-1383. For further information, please contact lrc@bmcc.cuny.edu. Two SI Coordinators are also available to assist faculty and students: Ruby Chopra rchopra@bmcc.cuny.edu and dsanchez@bmcc.cuny.edu.

6. Can both full-time professors and adjuncts become SI Faculty and use SI Leaders?
Yes. Both full-time and adjunct faculty are eligible to use a SI Leader in each of their classes.

7. Can SI Faculty use SI Leaders for in-person and online classes and in their synchronous, asynchronous and hybrid classes?
At BMCC, Supplemental Instruction has proven to be adaptable for all kinds of teaching and learning experiences, including in-person classroom instruction, on Blackboard, and in Zoom classes. Increasingly, SI Leaders work with students via email, on scheduled video calls, in breakout rooms, and by means of a wide variety of social media platforms, from group chats to Facebook to WhatsApp. SI remains highly adaptable for a variety of educational formats, such as synchronous teaching in real time, asynchronous teaching when students can learn on their own schedule within a given time frame, as well as blended learning in the classroom and online.

8. What are the responsibilities of SI Faculty?
A Professor who chooses a student to work in and out of the classroom with them is known as a Supplemental Instruction Faculty, or SI Faculty. Their student is known as a Supplemental Instruction Leader, or SI Leader. A SI Faculty mentors the SI Leader, leading by example. SI Faculty serve as guides for their SI Leaders, both modeling behavior and creating and monitoring the role of SI Leaders working with students in and outside the classroom. The specific use of the SI Leader in and out of the classroom is up to each individual SI Faculty, but often includes the following areas:

Before the semester begins, SI Faculty and the selected SI leader review the syllabus and schedule for the course.
Working together, SI Faculty and their SI Leader create a roster of duties for the SI leaders to perform during class hours each week, such as the review of difficult areas of the subject matter.
SI Faculty often allows class discussion time for the SI Leader to explain their strategy for success in solving a particular academic problem in that same class when they were a student.
SI Faculty also help SI Leaders arrange for outside class activities, such as review for quizzes and meeting with students one-on-one, particularly students who are new to BMCC, to make them feel welcome and orient them to a college environment.
SI Faculty help SI Leaders set up weekly ‘office hours’ in-person in a designated departmental space, on video calls like Zoom or on social media.
Some SI Faculty ask their SI Leaders to keep a log of activities the SI leader performs with students each week.
Performance review of SI Leaders by SI Faculty is often done informally at the middle and end of the semester.

9. What are the responsibilities of SI Leaders?
A Supplemental Instruction (SI) Leader is first and foremost a student advocate working directly with students under the supervision of the Professor, both in and out of the classroom and on social media to promote student success, increase attendance and model what it is to be a great student. By working directly with students, SI Leaders also provide early intervention, time management advice and assistance on specific assignments. The SI Faculty is responsible for making sure their SI Leader(s) attend a LRC (Learning Resource Center) SI orientation prior to the start of the semester.

Once the semester begins, the SI Leader submits a timesheet once a week and inputs the hours they have worked in and out of the classroom and details the students they met with, including when and where they met. Timesheets are turned into the departmental SI representative or to Nandrani Algu, Tutorial/SI Manager: nalgu@bmcc.cuny.edu at the LRC (Learning Resource Center), 199 Chambers Street, Main Building, 5th Floor, Room: S-510. Phone: (212) 220-1383. Two LRC SI Coordinators are also available to assist faculty and students: Ruby Chopra, rchopra@bmcc.cuny.edu, and dsanchez@bmcc.cuny.edu.

10. How do SI Faculty find SI Leaders for their course(s)?
More often than not, SI faculty select a student who has been a good student in their class to be their SI Leader the next semester. SI Faculty begin by observing a student’s performance and subject matter expertise during the semester. Many Professors look for students who exhibit leadership, have the ‘helping gene’ and enjoy working with other students; or select a SI Leader who has been a model student in their course, who is often a high-performing student, who is easy to get along with, and who Professors trust to work independently, and is also a good communicator. In some cases, Professors choose a SI Leader from a departmental roster of students who have expressed interest in working as a SI Leader. Other SI Faculty look for students who are interested and adept in working with students on social media or who are interested in teaching as a profession, and/or have enthusiasm for innovation in the classroom.

SI Faculty also reach out to their chair or to department colleagues or the departmental SI representative to find students who need employment and meet the criteria for SI Leaders, i.e. students who have a Social Security number and are BMCC students or BMCC graduates. Faculty can also find SI Leaders through their departmental SI representative or through the Learning Resource Center (LRC) representative Nandrani Algu, Tutorial/SI Manager: nalgu@bmcc.cuny.edu, LRC (Learning Resource Center), 199 Chambers Street, Main Building, 5th Floor, Room: S-510. Phone: (212) 220-1383. Two LRC SI Coordinators are also available to assist faculty and students: Ruby Chopra, rchopra@bmcc.cuny.edu, and dsanchez@bmcc.cuny.edu.

11. Are SI Leaders similar to Tutors, Graduate and Teaching Assistants?
A SI Leader is a student or graduate in good standing within the BMCC and CUNY communities. But SI Leaders are not tutors, graduate students or teaching assistants. Rather, they are a new hybrid of student advocate, peer-to-peer advisor and subject matter expert paid to work in and out of the classroom with students one-on-one or in small groups and on social media. However, it is important to note that SI Leaders do not teach and do not grade. While tutors, graduate students and teaching assistants may relecture the Professor’s material, grade assignments, proctor tests, and are often seen as superior to students, a kind of academic elite, SI Leaders attend class with students and concentrate on peer-to-peer learning, encouraging collaborative learning and schedule their own SI sessions independent of the Professor’s lectures or class time.

12. Do SI Leaders need subject matter expertise?
Yes. Most Supplemental Instruction (SI) Leaders are chosen because they have taken the course previously with the same Professor. Alternatively, SI Leaders are familiar with the course, having taken it before with another professor or have a working knowledge of the subject matter or syllabus.

13. Do SI Faculty require their SI Leaders to have previously taken their course(s)?
No, but it is suggested. It is very helpful for SI Leaders to have the advantage of having successfully passed the same course. In this way, SI Leaders not only know the subject matter, but the habits, pace and teaching style of the Professor. However, some Professors choose SI Leaders who have subject matter expertise and who they know, not from having had them in a similar or related course, but who are referred to them by department chairs or colleagues.

14. How many hours a week can SI Leaders work in and out of the classroom?
A SI Leader usually works between 5-8 hours a week, which includes in-class hours. For example, a SI Leader covers three hours for a three-credit course and then up to five additional hours working in and out of the classroom and on social media with students. SI Leader hours also include prep work, planning lessons, follow-up work, email, and social media time with their SI Faculty. Hours for SI Leaders may vary from department to department.

15. How are SI Leaders paid?
A Supplemental Instruction (SI) Leader is currently paid minimum wage at $15.39 per hour (2021) for up to 5-8 hours per week for the 15 weeks of the Fall and Spring semesters and for the duration of Winter and Summer sessions. SI Leader work hours are capped at 8 hours a week for Fall and Spring. SI Leaders are CUNY employees and are not tax-exempt, and receive a W2-form for tax purposes.

SI Leaders are paid through the Learning Resource Center (LRC) or by their departments. The majority of BMCC’s SI Leaders are paid through the LRC. Students are asked to meet with Nandrani Algu, LRC Tutorial/SI Manager, nalgu@bmcc.cuny.edu, to fill out their paperwork. SI Leaders are also asked to contact Human Resources (HR), phone: 212-220-8300 or online: https://www.bmcc.cuny.edu/hr/, or in-person on the seventh floor of the main building at 199 Chambers Street where they register as CUNY employees. Alternatively, some SI Leaders are paid through grants in their departments and faculty refer their prospective SI Leaders to the grants administrator within their department.

16. What paperwork are SI Faculty responsible for?
None. The paperwork is handled by personnel from the Learning Resource Center (LRC) and/or the department of the SI Faculty.

17. Are SI Faculty required to write assessment reports for their SI Leaders?
No. SI Faculty are not required to write assessment reports for their SI Leaders. The Learning Resource Center (LRC) or the department takes care of the paperwork for SI Leader hours. SI Leader Assessment is at the discretion of the individual SI Faculty. However, some SI Faculty provide a pre-work survey or video for their SI Leaders about student expectations for the job, which is then reviewed mid-semester with the SI Leader, and then again at the end of the semester, so the SI Leader can see what they have learned from the SI experience.

18. How do SI Leaders work with SI Faculty in the classroom?
SI Faculty work with Supplemental Instruction (SI) Leaders each in their own way but some generally accepted ways include the following:

A SI Leader is required to be present, active and engaged in the classroom during the hours of the class.
Many SI Faculty require the SI Leader to be present before and after class for some informal one-on-one time with students.
SI Leaders work with students during lecture periods to reinforce the Professor’s lesson plans.
SI Leaders meet with students before class.
SI Leaders explain concepts based on their experience in the course.
SI Leaders chat with students right after class to clarify classroom topics.
SI Leaders demonstrate note-taking.
SI Leaders model appropriate classroom behavior.
SI Leaders participate with students during small group work.
SI Leaders arrange to work with students outside of class time in a designated study area, library or on social media (WhatsApp, FaceTime, Google Hangout, group chat, and text).
SI Leaders schedule out-of-class time informally on campus at the BMCC cafes or in library rooms or study spaces at Fiterman or in the main building, 199 Chambers Street, which SI Leaders can book. Click on this link: http://lib1.bmcc.cuny.edu/services/reserve-a-room/.

19. How do SI Faculty use their SI Leaders outside of the classroom?

SI Leaders hold study review sessions before quizzes, tests or exams.
SI Leaders meet with students individually, in small groups or teams.
SI Leaders are often available to meet informally with students before class, asking how they are doing and if they have had any specific problems with homework assignments.
In lab settings, at the discretion of the SI Faculty, SI Leaders visit desks or workstations during the lecture time to assist students with specific problems. In the classroom and on video calls, SI Leaders are also available before and after class, and at class break time.
Having the SI Leader in class helps foster a sense of trust between students and their SI Leader.

20. Are SI Faculty present during SI Leader sessions outside of class time?
As a rule, SI Faculty do not work with SI Leaders and students outside of class, as this is the time for SI Leaders and students to work together as peers without faculty supervision. Outside of class is a time reserved for SI Leaders and students to work one-on-one, in small study groups and through social media, such as WhatsApp, Google Hangout, FaceTime and/or via text.

21. How do SI Faculty encourage students to attend sessions with their SI Leader?

Faculty can work with their SI Leaders to offer quiz or test review sessions in small groups online and in person.
SI Faculty suggest SI Leaders fit into student schedules by working with students on social media (WhatsApp, FaceTime, text, etc.).
Set aside a designated study room in the Main Building or Fiterman before and after class and/or at the same time each week where students are likely to find their SI Leaders. Rooms can be reserved by SI Leaders online for study rooms at Fiterman Hall, 245 Greenwich Street, NY NY 10007, and in the library in the main building, 199 Chambers Street NY NY 10007 (http://lib1.bmcc.cuny.edu/services/reserve-a-room/)
Have SI Faculty create a mandatory class-wide low-stakes assignment for students to discuss with their SI Leader.
Have SI Leaders select two or three students to meet with informally in a group after class on a weekly basis to review the upcoming assignments.
SI Faculty can offer extra credit to students who attend Supplemental Instruction sessions.

22. How do SI Faculty monitor the time of their SI Leader(s)?
It is suggested that SI Faculty meet with their SI Leaders before the semester begins to go over the syllabus, lesson plans and schedule. SI Faculty often meet with their SI Leaders weekly before each class to review the lesson plan of the day and meet after class to discuss which students need assistance. SI Faculty usually check in with their SI Leader on a weekly basis but no formal monitoring is required. However, each SI Leader must turn in the following: their own individual hours, the students they met with and where they met on a weekly basis to their departmental SI Representative or to the LRC (Learning Resource Center).

23. When do SI Faculty select their SI Leaders?
Professors often ask students after midterms to check their availability and interest in working as a SI Leader for the following semester. As a rule, it is important for students to be selected before they register for the next semester to ensure their availability and to make sure there is enough time for the student to be enrolled as a SI Leader and a CUNY “new hire” employee, which can sometimes take several months. However, selection of the SI Leader is always at the discretion of the Professor.

24. How do SI Faculty help students register as SI Leaders?
The Departmental Chair and the LRC (Learning Resource Center) personnel are the first steps towards securing formal recognition and payment for a SI Leader. Please contact your departmental SI Representative or Nandrani Algu, Tutorial/SI Manager: nalgu@bmcc.cuny.edu, LRC (Learning Resource Center), 199 Chambers Street, Main Building, 5th Floor, Room: S-510. Phone: (212) 220-1383. Two LRC SI Coordinators are also available to assist faculty and students: Ruby Chopra, rchopra@bmcc.cuny.edu, and dsanchez@bmcc.cuny.edu.

25. Can SI Faculty continue to use or ‘rollover’ the same SI Leader semester to semester?
Yes. It is encouraged! However, SI Faculty can also add new SI Leaders as their class needs change or when students become unavailable due to schedule changes or academic or other employment needs.

26. Can SI Leaders be BMCC graduates?
Yes. Frequently SI Faculty continue using their SI leaders after they leave BMCC and go on to a four-year institution. Some SI Faculty have used the same SI Leaders for over five years as students progress from BMCC to a four-year school and even graduate school. Some SI Leaders are BMCC graduates who return to work with their former professors, or graduate students who have an interest in the course subject matter.

27. Is there an age limit for SI Leaders?
No. A SI Leader may be a BMCC student or former BMCC student who is attending another educational institution or is seeking employment. SI Leaders are CUNY employees. CUNY is committed to providing an educational and workplace environment free from any form of unlawful discrimination and sexual misconduct. Moreover, at CUNY, we promote and support a diverse culture of excellence, mutual respect, inclusion, and professionalism. Please see CUNY’s Policies on Equal Opportunity and Nondiscrimination and https://www.bmcc.cuny.edu/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/non-discrimination-updated-August-2020.pdf.

28. Is there a dress code for SI Leaders?
No, but SI Leaders are CUNY employees and business casual is suggested, as it fosters a continued sense of professionalism in and out of the classroom.

29. Is there an orientation session for first-time SI Faculty and their SI Leaders?
All prospective SI Leaders are asked to attend an orientation session prior to their first semester working as a SI Leader. Typically, LRC Orientation sessions are held in January prior to the Spring semester and in June prior to the Fall semester. It is highly recommended that SI Faculty attend orientation sessions with their first-time SI Leaders.

30. What if a SI Faculty or SI Leaders cannot attend orientation?
It is suggested that SI Faculty and SI Leaders attend orientation and training sessions together. If SI Faculty and/or SI Leader cannot attend the orientation, special arrangements can be made to meet with the following members of the LRC (Learning Resource Center): Nandrani Algu,Tutorial/SI Manager: nalgu@bmcc.cuny.edu, 199 Chambers Street, Main Building, 5th Floor, Room: S-510. Phone: (212) 220-1383. Two LRC SI Coordinators are also available to assist faculty and students: Ruby Chopra, rchopra@bmcc.cuny.edu, and Denae Sanchez, dsanchez@bmcc.cuny.edu.

31. Does Supplemental Instruction affect the teaching style of SI Faculty?
The consensus seems to be that a Supplemental Instruction fits into a Professor’s existing teaching style. SI Leaders add to the existing classroom regimen, though some SI Faculty believe that having SI Leaders in the classroom provides a more interactive, social and more robust educational experience for all concerned.

32. What professional recognition do SI Faculty receive?
SI Faculty receive a digital Certificate of Completion from Dean Zummo, BMCC’s Associate Dean of Academic Affairs, for each course and semester in which they participate in the SI program. Professors include these digital certificates in their academic portfolio, departmental file, CV, and are seen as a resume builder.

Hello,

My name is Nandrani Algu and I’ve worked in the field of higher education for the past 16 years. I am currently the Academic Resource Center Manager in the Learning Resource Center. I am responsible for coordinating a comprehensive Tutorial and Supplemental Instruction Program providing training and completing the necessary paperwork for both faculty and SI leaders in the Supplemental Instruction Program. I am passionate about student success and ensure that students receive the assistance they need in order to be successful, be retained and eventually graduate. I received my Associates Degree from Borough of Manhattan Community College (BMCC) in Business Administration, my Baccalaureate Degree from Baruch College in Finance and Investment, and my Master’s Degree from Pace University in Early Childhood Education.

Students and Faculty can reach me at

Nandrani Algu, Learning Resource Center Tutorial/SI Manager
Phone: (212) 220-1378
Email: nalgu@bmcc.cuny.edu
Room: S510, LRC Learning Resource Center 199 Chambers Street, Main Building

Here are six easy steps for students who want to be SI leaders…

Check with your department to see which of your professors use or want to use Supplemental Instructors. A professor may have already asked you to be their SI Leader.
Meet with professors and see if your schedule meshes with your professor’s course schedule. Make sure you can attend the course for 15 weeks of the semester and potentially meet with students before and or after class for about two to three additional hours for the out of class sessions.
When you and the professor agree on a course and times for in and out of class sessions, the professor must send a request to Nandrani Algu with the following information:
Course/Section:
Name & contact information of the SI leader (BMCC email):
Nandrani will give you a form to fill out for the hours you have worked each week.. Your salary will depend on whether you have earned a degree or not. The total number of hours per week depends on how many hours the class meets each week. For example, if a class meets three hours per week, the SI Leader will be allowed to work a total of five or six hours per week. It will be three hours of in class and two to three hours outside of class.
Nandrani will provide you with the Human Resources paperwork. After the paperwork is completed you will have to take it to Human Resources which is located on the 7th floor of the main building, Room S717..

BMCC Human Resources
199 Chambers Street (the Main Building) Room S717 New York, NY 10007
Phone: (212) 220-8300, Fax: (212) 220-2364
Hours of Operation: Monday-Friday 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Note: It is mandatory that all SI leaders attend an SI Orientation session in early Spring for the coming spring term or in early June for the following Fall term.

And for further information, please call Ms. Gia Blackwell, Instructional Learning Skills Retention Coordinator, email: gblackwell@bmcc.cuny.edu, LRC Learning Resource Center 199 Chambers Street, Main Building, S-510 (212) 220-1380, or send an email to lrc@bmcc.cuny.edu

You are all set!!

Hi,
My name is Gia Blackwell and I am the Instructional Learning Skills Retention Coordinator in the Learning Resource Center. Outside of conducting various trainings for Tutors and Staff, I also assist with managing the Supplemental Instruction Program (SI). I have been working with the SI program since its inception in Fall 2016 after Janice Zummo, our new Assistant Dean for Academic Support Services came onboard and centralized the various SI programs on campus.

I received my Associates Degree in 2008 from BMCC with a major in Liberal Arts, and my Bachelor’s degree in 2013 from City College with a double major in History and Black Studies. I am working on my Master’s degree in Youth Studies through CUNY’s School of Professional Studies.

I support the SI program because it provides an organized space for peers to get together to learn. SI leaders are able to gain leadership skills while students are challenged in a relaxed setting to develop academic confidence. Many of the strategies learned within SI sessions such as, study skills and learning strategies can be transferred to other courses and applied to real life situations. I can help SI Leaders by ensuring they are properly trained to conduct effective SI sessions and be of support to assist with addressing any concerns that arise. I can also help Faculty by orienting them on the SI Program and provide supervision for their respective SI Leaders.

SI Leaders and Faculty can reach me at (212) 220-8000 ext. 1380 and by email: gblackwell@bmcc.cuny.edu

Here are two easy steps for faculty who want to be SI faculty and mentor a SI Leader in and out of their classroom…

Faculty who are interested in using a SI Leader in their course must make to request to have a SI leader in the classroom by emailing Nandrani Algu the course/section and name and contact information of the SI leader.
Note: It is mandatory that all faculty attend an SI Orientation session in early Spring for the coming spring term or in early June for the following Fall term.

For further information, contact Nandrani Algu, Learning Resource Center Tutorial/SI Manager, email: nalgu@bmcc.cuny.edu, Learning Resource Center 199 Chambers Street, Room: S-510. Phone: (212) 220-1383

You are all set!!

FAQs for SILs, SIFs, and Students Who Want To Know more about SILs

For Supplemental Instruction Leaders

What’s the role of a Supplemental Instruction Leader?
The role of a Supplemental Instruction Leader (SIL), in partnership with the Professor, is to help facilitate and support student learning in and outside of the classroom. In addition to being in all class sessions, the SIL will meet with students in person and via social media.

What does a Supplemental Instruction Leader do?
A Supplemental Instruction Leader (SIL) helps students with further learning and understanding of the course in partnership with the Professor. This includes assisting in the classroom and holding one-on-one and group study sessions outside of the classroom, and through social media. A SIL is also a mentor to the students and leads by example.

What qualifications are needed to become a Supplemental Instruction Leader?
A Supplemental Instruction Leader (SIL) has taken the class before, knows the class syllabus, knows how the Professor teaches the course, and is a subject matter expert. The SIL also brings their own experience into the classroom for the benefit of students who are taking the same course.

How does a Supplemental Instruction Leader differ from a graduate student or a teaching assistant?
A Supplemental Instruction Leader (SIL) is an advocate for the student first and works for the Professor second. Also, a SIL does not grade or teach.

Does a Supplemental Instruction Leader earn credits toward their degree/certification?
No, Supplemental Instruction Leaders (SILs) do not receive credits toward their course of study but is paid for their work as a SIL as a CUNY employee.

How often does a Supplemental Instruction Leader get paid?
Once a Supplemental Instruction Leader (SIL) is in the payroll system, the SIL is paid twice a month for 15 weeks/the entire semester.

Does a Supplemental Instruction Leader receive a W-2 Form?Yes, a Supplemental Instruction Leader receives a W-2 Form.

What are some of the benefits of being a Supplemental Instruction Leader?Not only does a Supplemental Instruction Leader (SIL) add value to student learning but their own communication, organizational and mentorship skills are enriched through the experience. A SIL is also paid for their time in and outside of the classroom. Other benefits may lead to possible ongoing employment as a SIL, a possible letter of recommendation, and to use the experience as a resume builder.

Can you be a Supplemental Instruction Leader for more than one semester? Yes, you can be a Supplemental Instruction Leader for more than one semester by invitation only as long as it is agreeable with the Professor, the department and School Administration.

How does a Supplemental Instruction Leader resolve a complaint against them?If a complaint is lodged against a Supplemental Instruction Leader, the Professor will be the first one to review the complaint and take the appropriate action.

What does a Supplemental Instruction Leader do if they need to suddenly leave the job due to unforeseen circumstances?If a Supplemental Instruction Leader (SIL) needs to suddenly leave their SIL job due to unforeseen circumstances, they should give notice to the Professor and to their Departmental SIL Coordinator.

Is ongoing training available for the Supplemental Instruction Leader throughout the semester?Yes, a Supplemental Instruction Leader (SIL) receives formal orientation along with other SILs before the semester begins and has continuing informal training and mentorship from the Professor of the class throughout the semester.

Are there periodic meet-ups for all Supplemental Instruction Leader on campus?
Yes, there will be opportunities for all Supplemental Instruction Leaders to connect.

If the Supplemental Instruction Leader is having issues in the classroom with the Professor, whom can they talk to about the matter?If the Supplemental Instruction Leader (SIL) is having issues in the classroom with the Professor they can speak with their Departmental SIL Coordinator about their concerns.

For Students Who Want to Know More about Supplemental Instruction Leaders

What’s the role of a Supplemental Instruction Leader?
The role of a Supplemental Instruction Leader (SIL), in partnership with the Professor, is to help facilitate and support student learning in and outside of the classroom when the SIL will meet with students in person and via social
media.
What does a Supplemental Instruction Leader do? A Supplemental Instruction Leader (SIL) helps students with further learning and understanding of the course in partnership with the Professor. This includes assisting in the classroom to explain concepts and answer questions, and holding one-on-one and group study sessions outside of the classroom, and through social media. A SIL is also a mentor to the students and leads by example.
How does a Supplemental Instruction Leader differ from a graduate student or a teaching assistant?
A Supplemental Instruction Leader (SIL) is an advocate for the student first and works for and supports the Professor second. Also, a SIL does not grade or teach.
How do I work with a Supplemental Instruction Leader?
A Supplemental Instruction Leader (SIL) works with students both in and outside of the classroom. During the class, the SIL will engage with students as a group or individually where they can ask questions. Outside of class hours, the SIL will work in groups and one-on-one as well during set study sessions or you can arrange another time to meet that suits you both.You can correspond with your SIL via email, phone, text and/or social media, as long as your method of communication is agreeable to all parties, including the Professor. You are expected to work with the SIL in a professional manner at all times.
How is a Supplemental Instruction Leader of benefit to me in the class?
A Supplemental Instruction Leader (SIL) is an advocate for the student first and works for and supports the Professor second. In all cases, the SIL would have already taken the class and succeeded, so they can lend their knowledge and experience to help you achieve your potential. You can also share any concerns with your SIL about working with others in the class and/or any other external factors that might impact your work to come up with reasonable solutions.
Why does my class need a Supplemental Instruction Leader?
A Supplemental Instruction Leader (SIL) is added to a class to add value to your classroom experience, as they are there to help you succeed in the class. A SIL helps students with further learning and understanding of the course in partnership with the Professor. This includes assisting in the classroom and holding one-on-one and group study sessions outside of the classroom, and through social media.
How do I become a Supplemental Instruction Leader?
You can become a Supplemental Instruction Leader by invitation from the Professor or by expressing interest to the Professor and/or your department, and you will either go through the application process to determine if you are a good fit, or go straight to onboarding if you’re already pre-approved to fit the bill.
Will a Supplemental Instruction Leader teach the class or grade my work?
A Supplemental Instruction Leader does not grade work or teach the class.
Does a Supplemental Instruction Leader get paid for their work?
Yes, once a Supplemental Instruction Leader (SIL) is in the payroll system, the SIL is paid twice a month for 15 weeks/the entire semester.
Do I have to meet with my Supplemental Instruction Leader outside of classroom hours?
A Supplemental Instruction Leader (SIL) helps students with further learning and understanding of the course in partnership with the Professor. This includes assisting in the classroom and holding one-on-one and group study sessions outside of the classroom, and through social media. Meeting with your SIL outside of class is mandatory in some courses but optional in others, so please speak with the Professor to find out expectations and requirements, and if you can earn additional credits toward your classwork.
Who should I speak with if I have an unresolved issue with my Supplemental Instruction Leader?
If you have an unresolved issue with your Supplemental Instruction Leader, please speak with the Professor of the class about your concerns.
How do I introduce myself to my Supplemental Instruction Leader?
The Supplemental Instruction Leader (SIL) is present in the classroom from the beginning of the semester to the end. The SIL will engage with every student as a group or individually in and outside of the classroom, so there will be ample opportunities to approach and engage with your SIL. You can also connect via email and social media.
How many times can I meet with a Supplemental Instruction Leader?
The Supplemental Instruction Leader has a set study session for the class during the week for students to attend but is also available outside of that session to assist students via email and social media, or in-person by appointment as long, as you are both agreeable and comfortable with meeting.
Do I get class credit or extra credit for meeting with my Supplemental Instruction Leader?
Please speak with the Professor to find out expectations and requirements for class credit or extra credit, as this is not always dependent on whether you meet with the Supplemental Instruction Leader or not.
If the Professor suggests I meet with my Supplemental Instruction Leader, does that affect my work or grade negatively?
Meeting with your Supplemental Instruction Leader (SIL) is not punitive; it is not a punishment but part of a support system. A SIL is an advocate for the student first and works for and supports the Professor second. In most cases, the SIL would have already taken the class and succeeded, so can lend their knowledge and experience to help you achieve your potential. You can also share any concerns with your SIL about working with others in the class and/or any other external factors that might impact your work to come up with reasonable solutions. The SIL may also refer you to other resources offered at BMCC, such as the Learning Resource Center (LRC) for additional assistance.
What professional recognition do I receive for being a Supplemental Instruction Leader?
Supplemental Instruction Leaders (SILs) receive a certificate from Dean Zummo, Assistant Dean of Academic Resources and Learning Resource Center (LRC), for each course and semester you are SILs. Hard copies of the certificate are sent to you at your home address as well as by email so that add it to your academic portfolio and departmental file.
Where can Supplemental Instruction sessions be held out of class at BMCC?
First, check with your Supplemental Instruction Leader (SIL) about where your sessions are held. Here are some study rooms that are available—
See chart below which should be updated with date… SS see Gia and Nandrani

For SI Faculty/Administrators

Who created/developed the Supplemental Instruction program?
Supplemental instruction was researched and developed at the University of Missouri-Kansas City (UMKC) in the early seventies. Deanna Martin, then a young graduate student in reading education, was hired to work on a small but forward thinking grant designed to help reduce attrition among minority professional medical school students. It was Martin who coined the term Supplemental Instruction.

What is the history of Supplemental Instruction at BMCC?
Supplemental Instruction is a model of collaborative learning that has been used at BMCC since 2016. It is based on the original model for Supplemental Instruction researched and developed at the University of Missouri at Kansas City.,Ss to see SEE DEAN’S TRANSCRIPT/Certified from International SI Center established at UMKC in the early 1970’s … SS to see Gia’s slidesAt BMCC Supplemental Instruction (SI) is typically used for courses that are identified as high risk rather than targeting students who are at risk of not being academically successful at the post-secondary level (Jacobs & Stone, 2008). High-risk courses have historically had at least 30% of students earning a D or F grade, or withdrawing from the course (Jacobs & Stone, 2008).Supplemental Instruction study sessions are available to all students in the high-risk course, rather than catering only to identified at-risk students (Jacobs & Stone, 2008). However, in recent years, SI has broadened from its use in pathways courses such as Mathematics and ESL (English as a Second Language) to a wider variety of courses, such as English, Teacher Education, Music and Art, CIS (Computer Information Systems), to Media Arts and Technology.
What is the goal of Supplemental Instruction?
Supplemental Instruction (SI) is a form of peer-to-peer instruction that facilitates the development of academic skills in the context of a specific course at the post-secondary level (Hurley & Gilbert, 2008); it also facilitates successful course completion.In SI, a model peer, a student or graduate who has previously been successful in the course, structures study sessions that allows students currently taking the course to learn how to study effectively (Wilcox & Jacobs, 2008).With the skills developed, these Supplemental Instruction Leaders will build their independence as learners (Burmeister, 2013).

What is the role of a Supplemental Instruction Leader?
A Supplemental Instruction Leader (SIL) is foremost a student advocate working directly with students under the supervision of the Professor, both in and out of the classroom, and on social media to promote student success, increase attendance and model what it is to be a great student. By working directly with students, SILs also provide early intervention, time management advice and assistance on specific assignments.

Is a Supplemental Instruction Leader like a tutor, graduate assistant or teaching assistant?
A Supplemental Instruction Leader (SIL) is a student or graduate in good standing within the BMCC and CUNY community. But SILs are not tutors, graduate students or teaching assistants, but a new hybrid of student advocate, peer-to-peer advisor and subject matter expert paid to work in and out of the classroom with students one-on-one or in small groups, and on social media.

What is the role of Supplemental Instruction Faculty?
Supplemental Instruction (SI) Faculty serve as guides for the Supplemental Instruction Leaders (SILs). SI Faculty model behavior and create and monitor the role of SILs working with students in and outside the classroom.

How do I find Supplemental Instruction Leaders for my course(s)?
Faculty can find Supplemental Instruction Leaders (SILs) through the Learning Resource Center (LRC) via Nandrani Algu and Gia Blackwell, and through the SIL liaison in your department.

How do I choose a Supplemental Instruction Leader?
Faculty can choose a student or graduate from a previous class to bring along as a Supplemental Instruction Leader (SIL) for the following semester or through referrals from other faculty, or through liaising with Learning Resource Center (LRC) personnel, Nandrani Algu and Gia Blackwell.Many professors select a SIL who has been a model student in their course, who is usually an A student, who is easy to get along with, and who professors trust to work independently, and is a good communicator.Professors can also choose a SIL from a departmental roster of students who have expressed interest in working as a SIL.

Do Supplemental Instruction Leaders need subject matter expertise?
Yes. Most Supplemental Instruction Leaders (SILs) are chosen because they have taken the course previously with the same Professor. Alternatively, SILs are familiar with the course having taken it before with another professor or have a working knowledge of the subject matter or syllabus.

Do Supplemental Instruction Leaders need to have taken the course that they are working in?
No, but it highly suggested and very helpful because in this way they not only know the subject matter but the habits, pace and teaching style of the Professor.

How does a Supplemental Instruction Leader work with me in and out of the classroom?
Faculty work with Supplemental Instruction Leaders (SILs) each in their own way but some generally accepted ways include the following:

SILs work with students during lecture periods to reinforce the Professor’s lesson plans.
SILs meet with students before class.
SILs explain concepts.
SILs chat with students right after class to clarify classroom topics.
SILs demonstrate note-taking.
SILs model appropriate classroom behavior.
SILs participate with students during small group work.
SILs arrange to work with students outside of class time in a designated study area, library or on social media (FaceTime, Google Hangout, group chat, text).
SILs hold review sessions before quizzes, tests or exams.
SILs meet with students individually, in small groups or teams.

How do I use Supplemental Instruction Leaders in my classroom?
Supplemental Instruction Leaders (SILs) often meet informally with students before class, asking how they are doing and if they have had any specific problems with homework assignments.In lab settings, at the discretion of the Supplemental Instruction Faculty, SILs visit desks or workstations during the lecture time to assist students with specific problems.In the classroom, SILs are available before and after class, and at break time. Having the SIL in class helps foster a sense of trust between students and their SIL.

How does a Supplemental Instruction Leader work with me outside of the classroom?As a rule, Supplemental Instruction Faculty do not work with Supplemental Instruction Leaders (SILs) and students outside of class. Outside of class is a time reserved for SILs and students to work one-on-one, in small study groups and/or on social media, such as Google Hangout, FaceTime and/or via text.

How many hours a week can a Supplemental Instruction Leader work with me in the classroom and outside of the classroom? The number of hours worked is usually 5-8 hours a week, which include in-class hours. For example, a Supplemental Instruction Leader (SIL) covers three hours for a three-credit course and then up to five additional hours working in and out of the classroom, and on social media with students. SIL hours also include prep work, planning lessons, follow-up work and email, and social media time with the Professor.

How do I monitor my Supplemental Instruction Leader’s time?It is suggested that faculty check in with their Supplemental Instruction Leader (SIL) on a weekly basis but no formal monitoring is required.

What is required of a Supplemental Instruction Leader?A Supplemental Instruction Leader (SIL) must attend SIL orientation prior to the start of the semester. A SIL cannot start until Gia Blackwell, Instructional Learning Skills Retention Coordinator in the Learning Resource Center (LRC) authorizes it. Once the semester begins, then the SIL will need to submit a timesheet once a week and input the hours they have worked in and out of the classroom. A Supplemental Instruction sign-in sheet will also need to be submitted to their SIL coordinator detailing which students they met with during the week and when.

Is my Supplemental Instruction Leader paid? If so, how much are they paid?A Supplemental Instruction Leader (SIL) is currently paid minimum wage at $15.39 per hour for up to 5-8 hours per week for the fifteen weeks of the semester. SIL work hours are capped at 8 hours a week. SILs are CUNY employees and are not tax-exempt, and they receive a W2 form for tax purposes.

How will a Supplemental Instruction Leader affect my teaching style?The consensus seems to be that a Supplemental Instruction Leader (SIL) fits into a Professor’s existing teaching style. SILs add to the existing classroom regimen, though some Supplemental Instruction Faculty believe that SILs in the classroom provide a more interactive educational experience for all concerned.

Can I use the same Supplemental Instruction Leader from semester to semester? Yes. It is encouraged!

Can Supplemental Instruction Leaders be BMCC graduates? Yes.

As a Supplemental Instruction Faculty, what paperwork am I responsible for? None. The paperwork is handled by the Learning Resource Center (LRC) personnel and/or your department.

How are Supplemental Instruction Leaders paid?
Supplemental Instruction Leaders (SILs) are paid through the Learning Resource Center (LRC) or by their departments.The majority of BMCC SILs are paid through the LRC. Students are asked to meet with Nandrani Algu, LRC Tutorial/SI Manager and Gia Blackwell, Instructional Learning Skills Retention Coordinator to fill out their paperwork.SILs are also asked to go to Human Resources (HR) on the seventh floor of the main building at BMCC where they register as first-time CUNY employees.Alternatively, some SILs are paid through grants in their departments and faculty refer their prospective SILs to the grants administrator within their department.

Is there an orientation session for first-time Supplemental Instruction Leaders? Is it necessary that Supplemental Instruction Faculty attend?
All prospective Supplemental Instruction Leaders (SILs) are asked to attend an orientation session prior to their first semester working as a SIL. Typically, SIL Orientation sessions are held in January prior to the Spring semester and in June prior to the Fall semester.It is highly recommended that Supplemental Instruction Faculty attend orientation sessions with their first-time SILs.
What if I cannot attend Supplemental Instruction orientation?
If you cannot attend a SI session, special arrangements can be made for you to meet with the following members of The Learning Resource Center (LRC): Nandrani Algu, LRC Tutorial/SI Manager, nalgu@bmcc.cuny.edu, (212) 220-1378, and/or Gia Blackwell, Instructional Learning Skills Retention Coordinator, gblackwell@bmcc.cuny.edu, (212) 220-1380.
How do Supplemental Instruction Faculty liaise with their Supplemental Instruction Leaders during the semester?
It is suggested that Supplemental Instruction (SI) Faculty meet with their Supplemental Instruction Leaders (SILs) before the semester begins to go over the syllabus and lesson plans.SI Faculty often meet with their SILs at some point before each class to go over the lesson plan of the day and after class to discuss which students need assistance.
What is required of a Supplemental Instruction Leader in the classroom?
A Supplemental Instruction Leaders (SIL) is required to be present, active and engaged in the classroom during the hours of the class. Many Supplemental Instruction Faculty require the SIL to be present before and after class for some informal one-on-one time with students.SILs then schedule out of class time informally at the BMCC cafes or in library rooms, which SILs can book http://lib1.bmcc.cuny.edu/services/reserve-a-room/. SILs can meet with students individually or in small groups, as well as on social media.

How does my Supplemental Instruction Leader schedule time with my students?
Supplemental Instruction Leaders can set up meetings with students when they are both present in class and also by reaching out via email, text and social media.

How can Supplemental Instruction Faculty encourage their students to attend out-of-class sessions with a Supplemental Instruction Leader?

Offer extra credit to students who attend Supplemental Instruction sessions.
Have Supplemental Instruction Leaders (SILs) offer quiz or test review sessions in small groups.
Have SILs fit into student schedules by working with students on social media (Google Hangout, FaceTime, text, etc.).
Set aside a designated study room in the Main Building or Fiterman before and after class and at the same time each week. Rooms can be reserved by SIL online.
Study room at Fiterman
Study rooms in the library in the Main building (http://lib1.bmcc.cuny.edu/services/reserve-a-room/)
Have Supplemental Instruction (SI) Faculty create a mandatory low stakes assignment for students to meet with their SIL.
Have SILs select two to three students to meet with informally in a group after class on a weekly basis.

Are Supplemental Instruction Faculty present during supplemental instruction sessions with my students?
Not usually, as this is the time for Supplemental Instruction Leaders and students to work together as peers without faculty supervision.

Is Supplemental Instruction used outside of BMCC?
Yes, both at two and four year colleges and at both public and private schools throughout the United States and internationally from Oxford University to the University of Stockholm to Nelson Mandela University in South Africa.

Can I use or rollover the same Supplemental Instruction Leader from semester to semester?
Yes. It is encouraged!

Do I need permission from my departmental chair to use and continue to have a Supplemental Instruction Leader in my class?
This decision is made by the discretion of the departmental chair.

Do I write an assessment report for my Supplemental Instruction Leader? No.
Supplemental Instruction Faculty are not required to write assessment reports for Supplemental Instruction Leaders (SILs). The Learning Resource Center (LRC) takes care of the paperwork and SIL hours.

Is there an age limit for Supplemental Instruction Leaders?
No. Supplemental Instruction Leaders may be recent high school or BMCC graduates and/or mature students.

Do Supplemental Instruction Leaders need to be current BMCC students? No. Supplemental Instruction Leaders are sometimes BMCC graduates who return to work with their former Professors, or graduate students who have an interest in the subject matter.

Is there a dress code for Supplemental Instruction Leaders?
No, but Supplemental Instruction Leaders are CUNY employees and business casual is suggested, as it fosters a continued sense of professionalism.

What professional recognition do I receive for being Supplemental Instruction Faculty?
Supplemental Instruction (SI) Faculty receive a Certificate of Completion from Dean Zummo, Assistant Dean of Academic Resources and the Learning Resource Center (LRC) for each course and semester you are a SI Faculty. Hard copies of the certificate are sent to you in your department as well as by email, so you can add it to your academic portfolio and departmental file.

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