Tutor Professional Development Events

Learning Support at UW–Madison supports tutors’ ongoing growth through professional development opportunities. These include Tutor Development Sessions focused on effective tutoring strategies and job-specific skills, as well as the Tutor Development Conference that promotes collaboration and leadership.

Tutor Development Conference

Each semester, the Learning Support Committee hosts the UW–Madison Tutor Development Conference, a free professional development event that brings together tutors from across campus.

The Spring 2027 Tutor Development Conference will be held January 24, 2027.
Registration information will be available closer to the event date

Students gather around tables in a drop-in tutoring center, with a sign welcoming visitors to tutoring services.
Students participate in a peer-led study session focused on mathematics.
Campus tutoring space with students looking at open laptops and chatting.

Date: Sunday, September 13, 2026

11:30 a.m. – 12 p.m. | Check in and lunch (boxed lunch available)

12:00 – 12:50 p.m. | All Conference Workshop

Difficult feelings, powerful insights: Countertransference in the tutoring relationship

Presented by: Bob Wiedenhoeft

Why are some tutoring sessions more draining than others? Why do some appointments stir confusing emotions in the tutor, while others do not? Why do tutors have favorite students, and is that okay? Tutors need not feel guilty; these are common experiences that can provide tutors with insights on their own needs and the needs of their students. By applying the concept of countertransference, this session introduces a framework to help tutors understand the tutoring relationship. More importantly, participants will leave with practical strategies to improve their tutoring. These strategies will help tutors transform countertransference into self-compassion, self-care, and empathy while maintaining focus on supporting the student.

1:00 – 1:50 p.m. | Choose a breakout session to attend from the list below

  • Career Fair (Tara Milliken)
  • Giving and Receiving Feedback (Adrien Chu Burnette): Knowing how to give and receive feedback—information, comments, or suggestions about someone’s behavior—is essential to building an effective tutoring practice. In this workshop, you will reflect on best (and worst) practices for giving and receiving feedback, learn tips for doing both effectively, and apply these strategies to a series of common tutoring scenarios.
  • Mattering (Drew Lokuta)

2:00 – 2:50 p.m. | Choose a breakout session to attend from the list below

  • Chem 103 and 104 (Tracey Reitz)
  • Academic Grief and Self Care (Michelle Bond): From low grades to changing career plans, academic grief can take many forms.  Come learn how to support your tutees when they experience these setbacks and skills for supporting yourself during these heavy moments. 
  • Experienced Tutor Panel: New to tutoring? Ask our experienced tutors questions and listen to helpful advice, strategies, and tips about tutoring and study skills.

3:00 – 3:45 p.m. | Housing Tutors Meeting

Tutor Professional Development Sessions

Tutor Professional Development Sessions are designed to help UW–Madison tutors learn more about topics like effective tutoring strategies, job-specific skills, and leadership development in a supportive, collaborative environment.

Fall Sessions

More events

Interested in becoming a campus tutor?

Every year, campus Learning Centers hire undergraduate and graduate peer tutors. Find more information on our Become a Tutor page!

Become a Tutor