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Learning Center Faculty and Staff
Director - ReJeanne Smith
I have been an integral part of the Merritt College community since 2017. Starting as a student, ReJeanne becoming a fixture through dedication and academic excellence, which led to my role as a tutor in 2018. My academic journey continued at San Francisco State University, where I majored in English Literature and later completed a Master’s degree in English Composition. I am currently, pursuing a Doctorate in Education at the University of San Francisco.
Throughout my tenure at Merritt College, I have maintained a close connection with the Learning Center, contributing to its growth and development. My research interests are diverse and impactful, focusing on culturally relevant pedagogy, culturally relevant literature, critical pedagogy, and the incorporation of hip-hop pedagogy into first-year composition. Additionally, I am passionate about cultural competence and student-centered education, continuously seeking innovative methods to enhance learning experiences.
As a retired military veteran, I bring a unique perspective to my role, combining discipline and leadership with a deep commitment to educational equity and inclusivity. My work is driven by a belief in the transformative power of education and a dedication to fostering a supportive and engaging learning environment for all students at Merritt College.
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English Faculty & LC Lead Staff - Andrea Henderson
Andrea Henderson has been teaching English courses consistently at Merritt College since 2013. While she is a veteran, credentialed educator who has been teaching at various schools throughout the Bay Area region for over 15 years, her experience as an Adjunct English Professor began at Merritt College as an Intern in the Adjunct Internship Program during the 2010-11 academic year. Upon completing her MA Degree at San Francisco State University in English Literature in 2012, she returned to Merritt College where she has been teaching regularly since 2013. When she is not in the classroom, Andrea enjoys reading and writing poetry and fiction, traveling, camping, hiking, practicing Yoga, and studying Eastern Philosophy / Mysticism.
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Coordinator - Charlotte Victorian
I grew up in West Oakland where I attended public schools within the OUSD system. After graduating from McClymonds High I attended Merritt College before transferring to San Francisco State University where I earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a concentration in Computer Information Systems. I began my career at Merritt College as the college Bursar and am currently the Learning Center Coordinator. The Learning Center gives me the continued pleasure of interacting with our students and witnessing their success as they embark on their personal journeys.
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Computer Lab Coordinator - Walter Johnson
I served in the U.S Air Force from 1961 – 1964, on a line launch team. Upon discharge I attended Howard University from 1965 -1969, earning a B.S. in Physics/Math. I worked at the Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory locating specific events as a result of bombardment of heavy water by high-speed particles. I then became a community organizer in West Oakland advocating for health care for low-income neighborhoods. I attended Colombia University and graduated from UC Berkeley in 1975 with a M.S. Health Sciences. Subsequently, I taught middle school in Richmond and Oakland Unified School Districts. Prior to coming to Merritt College, I served as a nuclear engineer at Mare Island Naval shipyard overhauling and repairing nuclear submarines. I am presently employed at Merritt as a computer assistant/instructional aid and have served as an adjunct professor in Biology.
Become a Tutor
Fill out a Tutor Job Application Here
Learning Center Tutor Job Description
Position: The Merritt College Learning Center invites applications for Tutors across disciplines. Candidates with experience in these disciplines and other disciplines are encouraged to apply; this is an excellent opportunity to work with students across disciplines at all levels of competency.
The primary function of the tutor is to support students who are currently registered in the Peralta Community College District. Tutors should present a professional yet pleasant demeanor and continually work to reinforce knowledge of course content and tutorial methods. This includes tutor training program. As needed, tutors assist with the overall operations of the Learning Center.
Tutor Responsibilities:
• Meet each student in person or virtually 45-minute sessions in the Learning Center or other designated location with faculty supervision.
• All new tutors must enroll in Learning Resources 30 – Introduction to Tutoring.
• Stay informed about pedagogy by:
o attending monthly training in the Learning Center.
o attending discipline department meetings at least once per semester.
o attending conferences at ACTLA or 3CSN, funding permitted.
o attending other workshops provided by Merritt College and other organizations.
• Assigned hours will vary depending on the classroom assignments and designated Learning Center schedules.
• Arrive on time, sign in for your schedule, stay for your entire shift, and sign out.
• May be embedded in the classroom to support instruction.
Qualifications:
• Currently enrolled in Peralta District
• Meet employment criteria of Merritt College
• Completed or currently enrolled in LRNRE 30, Tutor Training
• Have a B grade or better in each course wishing to tutor
• Submit a copy of the most recent transcript (unofficial)
• Interview with Director and Coordinator of the Learning Center
• Must be creative and a self-starter
• Demonstrated ability to work with diverse academic, socio-economic, cultural disability and ethnic backgrounds
• A deep interest in helping others develop competence in a relevant subject
• Familiarity with the Learning Center mission statement (above)
Hours and Location: Tutoring hours are flexible (to be determined upon hiring not to exceed 20 hours per week). If you are interested in working at the Learning Center, please contact Charlotte Victorian (cvictorian@peralta.edu) and ReJeanne Smith (rejeannesmith@peralta.edu)
Learning Strategies
LC Survey & Results
Workshops
Our Tutors
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Bridget CrokeLanguages: English Subjects: Math 13 (Statistics), Intro to Biology (Bio 10), General Biology (Bio 1A/B), and Microbiology (Bio 3) Fall 2024 Schedule: Mondays 1pm-3pm, Wednesdays 1pm-2:30pm Appointment Link: https://appt.link/merritt-college-tutoring/bridge-croke Hi, I’m Bridget. I grew up in Oakland and went to college in Berkeley. Following graduation, I worked at a diagnostic company in South San Francisco for two years and at a vascular surgery clinic in Portland for two years. I then returned to Oakland and enrolled in classes at Merritt College to complete pre-requisite courses for graduate school. I plan to begin medical school in the Fall of next year. Outside of work and school, I enjoy spending time outside, cooking/eating, and reading. I look forward to supporting students in Statistics this year! |
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Armando CastellanosLanguages: English Subjects: English 1A/S,1B (Composition & Reading), 5 (Critical Thinking); Math 50 (Trigonometry), 1 (Pre-Calculus), 3A (Calculus 1), Communications 20 (Interpersonal Communication Skills), Economics 2 (Principles of Economics – Micro Economics Fall 2024 Schedule: Mondays – Wednesdays 12pm-2pm, Thursdays 1pm-2pm Appointment Link: https://appt.link/merritt-college-tutoring/armando-c My name is Armando Castellanos and I am a finance/business major. My favorite subjects are math and english. Some things I enjoy to do for fun are go to the gym, play with my dog, play video games, and watch interesting videos. |
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Sabrina FoxLanguages: English Subjects: English 1A/S, 1B (Composition & Reading), 5 (Critical Thinking), Afram 31 (African-American History: 1865-1945) Fall 2024 Schedule: Mondays & Wednesdays 1pm-6pm, Tuesdays 1pm-5pm Thursdays 12pm-5pm Appointment Link: https://appt.link/merritt-college-tutoring/sabrina-fox I’m Sabrina Fox, a second-year student here at Merritt College. I’m passionate about helping my fellow students navigate their academic journey. I specialize in tutoring courses such as English 1A, 1AS, 1B, 5, and AFRAM 12 and 31. Let’s team up at the learning center or on Zoom and conquer these courses together! |
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Charlie EddySubjects: Biology 20 A/B (Human Anatomy & Physiology), 3 (Microbiology), Chemistry 30A (Introduction to General Chemistry) Fall 2024 Schedule: Thursdays 10am-1pm Appointment Link: https://appt.link/merritt-college-tutoring/charlie-eddy |
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Professor Dan LawsonSubjects: Math (All) Fall 2024 Schedule: Mondays & Wednesdays 12:30pm – 1:30pm Appointment Link: https://appt.link/merritt-college-tutoring/professor-dan-lawson-math-statistics |
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Alejandra ElizondoSubjects: Math 13 (Statistics) Fall 2024 Schedule: Mondays 11am – 1pm, Tuesdays & Thursdays 1pm – 2pm, Wednesdays 10:30am – 12pm Appointment Link: https://appt.link/merritt-college-tutoring/alejandra-elizondo |
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Parsa FarajiSubjects: Calculus 3A, 3B, 3C, Math 3E (Linear Algebra); Physics 4A, 4B; CIS 6 (Introduction to Computer Programming), 25 (Programming Using C++), 36A (Java Programming Language I) Fall 2024 Schedule: Wednesdays 4pm-6pm Appointment Link: https://appt.link/merritt-college-tutoring/parsa-faraji “Hey there everyone!
My name is Parsa Faraji and I’m a student at Peralta colleges majoring in Mathematics and Computer Science. I plan to transfer
to a University of California to continue my education for a bachelor’s degree.
Tutoring is one of my passions because it gives me great pleasure to help others figure out the solution to a problem or
understand a topic better. During the process, I, myself, achieve a clearer view of concepts and enjoy different perspectives
whenever they appear. Moreover, I’ve sought guidance from experts so many times in my education and it’s only fair to pass on
what I’ve gleaned over the years to others as well!”
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Genesis HernandezSubjects: Biology 20 A/B (Human Anatomy & Physiology) Fall 2024 Schedule: Appointment Link: My name is Genesis Hernandez, and I will be earning my Associates Degree in Health Science in Spring 2025. Merritt College has always provided me with the help and support that I needed along the way, and I wish to give that back to my community. I will be tutoring in Anatomy and Physiology 20b for the first time this Fall, and I am ecstatic! |
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Lulu WallaceSubjects: Biology 2 (Human Anatomy) Fall 2024 Schedule: Fridays 1pm-2pm Appointment Link: https://appt.link/merritt-college-tutoring/lulu-wallace Hi All! My name is Lulu and I am a graduate of UC Davis. As a person who has always struggled in school, I know how beneficial tutoring can be. This semester, I will be an embedded tutor for BIOL 2 Anatomy. I can also help with english, communications, and biology! When I am not a student or tutor, you can find me reading a book or hiking down a trail. I am excited to get to know everyone and I hope we all have an excellent fall semester.
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Micah BurrisLanguages: English Subjects: Communications 20 (Interpersonal Communication Skills), 45 (Public Speaking), English 1A, 1AS (Composition & Reading), 5 (Critical Thinking); AFRAM 31 (African-American History: 1865 to 1945); History 7B (History of the United States Since 1865) Fall 2024 Schedule: Mondays, Tuesdays, & Fridays 10am – 2pm Appointment Link: https://appt.link/merritt-college-tutoring/micah-burris I’m Micah Burris, and I bring patience and ambition to each tutoring session, aiming not only to enhance student’s understanding of their assignments but also to boost their comfort and confidence in learning. I start by asking about their likes and dislikes in the subject, which helps me tailor my approach to their unique needs. I believe in devising study and memorization strategies that empower students to continue their learning journey independently, even beyond our sessions. By taking time to understand students learning style, I can apply techniques that genuinely improve comprehension and retention. Collaboration is critical to my method; I often exchange tips and insights with colleagues to ensure I can support my students on any topic. I aim for students to leave each session feeling more knowledgeable and self-assured in their academic pursuits. |
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Mina IdykSubjects: Biology 20 A/B (Human Anatomy & Physiology), 3 (Microbiology) Fall 2024 Schedule: Tuesdays 10:30am – 11:30am, Thursdays 10:30am – 11:30am & 1:30pm-3pm Appointment Link: https://appt.link/merritt-college-tutoring/mina-idyk Hello, my name is Mina. I am a nursing major and I am planning on transferring this fall. I am very interested in anatomy and physiology. I enjoy physiology especially because it helps paint a tangible picture of the complex mechanisms driving the human body and its functions forward. I am a visual learner so I utilize images often when tutoring. I feel that being able to visualize concepts helps us solidify otherwise abstract concepts. Seeing is believing! |
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Mariana LopezSubjects: Writing Across the Curriculum, Nutrition, Spanish Fall 2024 Schedule: Tuesdays 1pm – 5pm Appointment Link: https://appt.link/merritt-college-tutoring/mariana-lopez Hey Panthers! I am a first generation, second year Puente student majoring in Nutrition and Dietetics. I will be transferring in the Fall of 2024. I tutor ENGL 1AS, 1, 5, Writing, and Nutrition. Hablo Español. In my spare time I like to workout, go to baseball games, and collect Harry Potter merch. |
Tutoring
The tutoring program serves students by offering academic assistance across the curriculum. The Learning Center’s objective is to prepare and assist students in academic advancement and improved self-esteem. Free tutoring is offered individually or in a small group setting and is available on a drop-in basis or by appointment. (See tutor schedule on left)
Tutoring is available Monday & Wednesday 9am-6pm; Tuesday & Thursday 10am-5pm (in person & online) ; Friday 10am-2pm (online only)
Online Tutoring
Learning Center Zoom Hub: Learning Center Tutoring Hub on Zoom
nettutor: (note – these are not Merritt tutors)
Students can access additional online tutoring with nettutor . Currently enrolled students can take advantage of this service in most subjects 24/7. For questions, contact Walter Johnson at wjohnson@peralta.edu or ask your instructor to enable nettutor in their canvas shell.
Click on the image below to access the nettutor website
Tutoring by Department
