With nearly 1,000 students in his building, Jason Harris wanted to increase his capacity to serve students who needed extra support. He says Math Corps made perfect sense. “Not all kids thrive in a classroom,” he explains. “Some kids – and specifically the kids we serve in Math Corps – really need that individualized attention and the focused practice.”
Harris notes that by the time students get to junior high, too many have decided that they can’t do math – this is a notion Math Corps tutors help dismantle. Working with a tutor, students begin to build both their skills and confidence. “When we pull the data, we see most kids are getting to the next level,” Harris says. “The extra support really helps them get off the bubble.”
Over the past five years, South Junior High has typically had two Math Corps tutors devoted to working with students during the school day. In addition to tutoring, Math Corps tutors also assist students after school with homework and help support the larger learning community. “We’ve had college students, parents and retirees serve with Math Corps at South,” Harris notes. “They do a great job working with our students.”
Harris and his team collaborate with the district and Math Corps to promote the opportunity to serve and let people know their students need tutors. “We get it on our district website, in our school newsletter, we distribute flyers and really get out there to connect with St. Cloud State University students as well.”
Asked what he’d tell his colleagues who don’t already have Math Corps in their building, his response is quick. “Go ahead and get a Math Corps tutor! Why would you pass up a resource that can help your kids learn and achieve in math?”