The Impact of Tutoring
One on one tutoring has become essential to our afternoon Education program. What started as helping students complete simple homework assignments after school has transformed into something bigger over the last few months. Our Director of Education, Mariah Pitre, has helped to grow the program to providing equipment, safe spaces, and tutoring for students who are now fully online. With most of our students coming from Jackson Public Schools, we have created close ties with the school system trying to find the best way to be most effective in Jackson. Recently, the opportunity to partner with Timberlawn Elementary School has arisen to help take in some of their students to our Education program. “We want to start partnering with JPS to assist their students with tutoring and supplies,” Mariah states after having met with school leaders. Timberlawn Elementary not only hopes to partner with us during the school year but also during summer months. “They’re excited to possibly direct some students to Camp Hope this summer,” Mariah says in reference to We Will Go’s yearly camp that provides activities and meals to kids in the community.
Mariah also spoke about the needs she has seen in our students attending our Education program. “I’ve been very thankful to see that what I do everyday matters. One of my third grade students was reading with me and I helped her login on her laptop to do her homework. An announcement popped up on her screen and she struggled to read that simple announcement. Seeing this student not only struggle to read but to struggle to navigate virtual learning was a shock to me.” Only 5% of students are able to receive special assistance at JPS schools. Those in charge of the schools are looking for programs to engage their students to grow in reading comprehension and online learning. Mariah spoke further about the need saying, “It left me to wonder how many other students are struggling? Students who are looking for help to complete their basic needs?”
The weekly routine of opening our building and sitting with students is one that is having a larger impact. It is also meeting a very specific need to keep struggling students from slipping through the cracks. “Being able to see how important it is to be sitting in that chair, reading alongside her, guiding her through her lessons was overwhelming to see,” Mariah says about tutoring. There is a weekly need of more volunteers, people passionate about education, or those simply willing to help to join in. Come and partner with us as we strive to grow and impact even more students.
