Math Department Debuts Tutoring Program

Debuting this year is the brand new SWW math tutoring program. Founded by Ms. Kelly, this tutoring program gives students taking higher math classes the opportunity to earn community service hours by providing a little extra help to peers who may need it. Her goal? To provide anyone who wants it with another outlet to master tough subjects on a flexible schedule. 

The program officially kicked off in early November, but the idea has long been in the works. “We’ve been, as a department, for a while thinking about different ways to support students and get them extra help in math,” Ms. Kelly shared. Throughout the beginning of this year, she noticed that office hours with teachers are generally very restricting, and do not allow students adequate time outside of class to master concepts.

After this issue was identified, she began working with her intern, Anna Morelli (‘27), in order to make the idea a reality. “I created a sign up for both tutors and tutees and put up flyers around the school so people could scan a QR code,” Morelli explained. They then conducted an informational meeting for tutors to further explain the one-on-one tutoring concept. 

Once they sign up, tutees are paired with tutors based on questions they both answered on the QR code sign up form. These questions include any requests for a specific tutor, a rough schedule outline, and what math class they are currently in. After they are paired, Morelli connects both students through email, and then the rest of the scheduling is completely of their own volition. This allows for tutees to receive as much or as little help as they need, as there is no pressure to meet on a specific schedule. 

Both Ms. Kelly and Morelli expressed full confidence in their tutors. Ms Kelly shared, “the tutors I have talked to really are taking it seriously, and I did have a meeting with them about my expectations for their level of engagement and involvement.” She also provided them with a library of practice problems which they can use to refresh their knowledge before meeting about units they feel less confident in. Additionally, the tutor sign up form asks them which math classes they feel confident tutoring for, in order to make the best student pairs as possible. 

Ai-Quynh Matsudaira, a sophomore tutor, is currently enrolled in Ms. Kelly’s calculus BC class. She very much enjoys math as a subject, and expressed her dedication to making sure she wholly understands all the topics she is supposed to be helping with. “We’re trying to talk to teachers from all the classes to get the syllabuses and any worksheets they are doing in class,” she explained. 

Ms. Kelly noted that she intends to keep this program running all throughout the year, or until the need for it runs out. This need, she says, is absolutely there: "It's not just about people being like, ‘I don’t get this,’ I think people just need to practice and gain a little more confidence in math.” And giving students this extra time with someone other than their teacher she believes is a great way to provide a source for a confidence boost.

Morelli added that she thinks this is a really good option for students who struggle to find time in their schedule to see a teacher, or have one specific thing they need help on. “A lot of the time when everybody’s really busy, it's hard to find dedicated time to math tutoring. I think it’s also another good option if you have a specific question,” she said. 

Tutors and tutees will be able to sign up at any point during the year, so if you are currently taking precalculus or higher and are in need of community service, or find yourself in need of math help outside of regular class time or office hours, find one of the QR codes posted around the school. Morelli also specified that tutoring is not restricted to those in lower-level math classes, so everyone can use this program to their benefit.