Our History
TIPS was originally founded by Professor Greg Fritzberg at Seattle Pacific University as University Tutors for Seattle Schools (UTSS). Today, TIPS carries forward Professor Fritzberg’s mission of positively impacting public schools with real time tutor support.
Our Philosophy
At TIPS, we believe that by placing representative, culturally responsive tutors in classrooms, we can improve student outcomes and support teacher effectiveness.
Unlike other programs that rely on a set curriculum and approach, our model gives schools the flexibility to tailor the role of each tutor to meet the specific and evolving needs of their classrooms. This allows us to provide targeted support that addresses each school’s unique challenges.
Our Commitments to Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
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Equitable Pay
We recognize the systemic barriers to diversity in education. In place of volunteer work, we pay our tutors competitive hourly wages to gain the experiences they need to rise.
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Training
We offer ongoing, paid training opportunities for our tutors in a variety of areas including race, equity, education, relationship-building with students and educator wellness.
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Hiring
We hire representative and culturally responsive talent who reflect the diversity of the classrooms they are serving — creating inclusive learning environments for students and staff.
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Access
We reduce time and financial burdens for students and families by offering dependable support during school hours when students need it the most.
Students Schools Teachers Tutors
We bring people together to achieve change. Through personalized and small group tutoring, we increase student engagement and participation and see impacts to academic, social and emotional growth.
But don’t just take it from us. Listen to our tutors and read our school partners’ testimonials.
“I have never worked with a partner so helpful in drafting a contract compliant with district requirements and timelines. The staffing process was tailored to exactly what we needed; we were able to hire counseling students to assist in supporting students with social emotional needs in addition to tutors who provide interventions for students falling below academic expectations.”
— Seattle Principal
“TIPS tutors have formed such meaningful relationships with our students that for some of them, that relationship is the reason they show up to school each day. Whether it is playing a game of kickball or working with a classroom teacher to individualize instruction, the presence of TIPS tutors is alive within our school community.“
— Reading Intervention Specialist
“The TIPS tutors were such an incredible support to me in my classroom this year! They alleviated a lot of classroom management problems by giving students more 1 on 1 support and offering another caring adult in the room.“
— Seattle Teacher
“Without these supports, our most at-risk students would not receive individualized one-on-one support that has been vital to our excellent course passing rates over the past four years.“
— Seattle Principal
Our Community Partners
Our community partnerships enable us to reach students outside of schools and within our communities. With each partnership we proudly deepen our impact.
Our Recruitment Partners
TIPS recruits undergraduate and graduate students from universities and colleges across the Pacific Northwest, as well as hiring qualified, representative non-student community members looking to make a difference.
Interested in partnering? Contact us at info@tipstutors.org