Coaching
The goal of coaching is to lead others toward independent work and productivity. Individual tutorials geared toward personal needs can greatly enhance the college education experience by improving one's abilities in a given area of study. Coaches share their knowledge and model skills to ensure students apply similar strategies, sources, and skills to increase that likelihood of success.
If you're already familiar with the many benefits coaching offers, you may skip to the Getting Started page.
A Coach's Role
Coaches are actual CCA work-study students. They neither grade nor assign your work. Although coaches may have contact with an instructor of a particular assignment, this is done for them to better assess the assignment—not to negotiate on your behalf with the instructor.
Coaches expect you to complete all your work. Their role is to provide feedback and support. Although a student may send a preliminary draft to the coach, editing is done in person at a schedule appointment. No work will be done on an assignment if you miss your scheduled appointment.
Writing Coaches
Writing coaches are typically enrolled in CCA's MFA in Writing Program. They are deeply interested in writing and are a curious and sympathetic audience. A one-hour session of undivided attention might include a thorough reading of a project draft, followed by detailed feedback: content, organization, paragraphing, grammar, punctuation, and/or spelling.
Often writing coaches provide insight and guidance into the strongest parts of your written work. The process typically results in students learning how to improve their overall writing. Also, discussing with a writing coach your difficulty choosing a topic, narrowing a subject, or researching a project can significantly clarify your thoughts and make the process easier. Similarly, an academic coach can advise ways to research and document that make the process of writing a research paper more effective, including the proper way to source your research in the final draft.
Visual Studies Coaches
Many students have difficulty with Introductory Visual Studies classes. While individual appointments are helpful, you may request a coach lead a study group. Sessions might include addressing how to take better notes; how to study; how to read the textbook; and how to make flash cards.
Students often need a coach to review with them the content of an instructor's lecture. Visual studies coaches also are writing coaches so they can work with you to improve your visual studies writing assignments.
Software Coaches
CCA now offers coaching for many of the software applications the college uses in the classroom. Lab monitors are neither software tutors nor coaches, so CCA employs students as software coaches. Coaches will work with you in one of the computer labs on either campus (be sure to make specific arrangements when scheduling an appointment).
You must bring your project and have clear questions prepared in advance. While coaches offer valuable insights, they cannot teach a program in its entirety in a single meeting. Software workshops are offered as needed based on demand. Previous 3-hour workshop topics have included Photoshop, Illustrator, and Final Cut Pro.
Coaching is available for most programs. However, you are welcome to place a request for other programs not currently being offered. To make a request, contact Virginia Jardim at vjardim@cca.edu. CCA will make a concerted effort to fill the request, provided there is sufficient need and resources.
Note: If you need a math coach, please contact Virginia Jardim at vjardim@cca.edu.
Learning Resource Center
Coaching is a valuable and free resource CCA provides.
Oakland campus
Irwin Hall 207
Contacts
Dean of Student Development
George Luis Sedano, MEd
gsedano@cca.edu
510.594.3775
Coordinator of Learning Resources
Virginia Jardim, MAT
vjardim@cca.edu
510.594.3756