Alex Pless, the Anatomy and Physiology Tutor Specialist in the College of Western Idaho's (CWI) Learning Commons, has been recognized as Staff of the Month for November 2024. Pless’s innovative approach to tutoring, dedication to student success, and her own inspiring journey as a student and single mother have left a remarkable impact on CWI.
Nominated by Hollie Leavitt, Pless’s commitment to helping students excel in the notoriously challenging Anatomy and Physiology (A&P) courses has brought new strategies and resources to the tutoring program. Leavitt described Pless as “the best of the best,” noting how she went beyond standard tutoring methods by developing weekly study sessions where students reviewed learning objectives and created study guides — a practice pioneered by Pless and now widely embraced by her students. “The sessions quickly became popular, and I saw the exam average in my Biology 226 class increase by 7% over the previous semester,” Leavitt said, adding that the class failure rate dropped from 22% to 4% following Pless’s involvement.
Pless’s approach centers on more than academic content; she teaches students how to learn effectively. “I attribute a significant part of the decline in fail rates directly to Pless,” Leavitt said. “She doesn’t just teach material; she teaches students how to prepare and succeed. Many students have reached out to share how much Alex’s support has changed their academic lives.” Some students wrote: “I wanted to let you know how much Alex has changed my life! I would not have these grades without her!” and “Alex is a breath of fresh air and has given me confidence that I will be able to pass.”
Pless balances her role as a tutor with the responsibilities of being a full-time student and a single mother to two young children, Maysie-Jo and Theodore. Despite these demands, Pless has remained available to her students, often setting tutoring hours late at night and on weekends to accommodate their needs. “When I first asked Alex to tutor for me, she set many of her working hours from 9 – 11 p.m. and offered weekend hours,” Leavitt said. “Those times worked wonderfully for our online A&P students, many of whom balance work and family.” Pless’s dedication to her students and flexibility in scheduling have made her a valuable resource for CWI’s student body.
Pless’s journey with CWI began as a student, and she attributes her deep passion for A&P to Leavitt, who recognized her potential and encouraged her to become a tutor. Since then, Pless has found immense fulfillment in her role. She recently earned her associate’s degree in human biology from CWI and is now pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Neuroscience at Boise State University. “CWI has fostered a wonderfully positive environment that promotes people who show a willingness to help, an abundance of kindness, and a passion for what they do,” Pless said.
Reflecting on her time at CWI, she shared how her experience as a tutor has transformed her life. “I struggled with my education as a child and was very self-conscious as an adult. Hollie Leavitt promoting tutoring was one of the biggest game changers in my life. I gained confidence and developed a growth mindset. Getting to help others with this material while growing with it myself was a turning point that I never saw coming.”
Beyond her dedication to tutoring, Pless is devoted to her family and enjoys spending time in nature with her children. Together, they explore the outdoors, learning about animals, plants, and bugs, and creating crafts and cards for friends and family.
Pless’s passion for helping others, her innovative contributions to tutoring, and her inspiring personal journey make her a deserving recipient of Staff of the Month award for November 2024. Congratulations to Alex Pless for her outstanding contributions to the College!
