New update: Genius Hour is coming to end an, I am so excited to have had the opportunity to help some of the middle school girls. I feel like i was really able to help them and answer all they're questions, i also feel as if they're confidence for math has shot up dramatically. I am seeing now that they are excited to get help and learn or tell me how they did on a test/quiz. Take it from me, the best feeling is knowing you have effectively helped someone and made them feel more confident about themselves. On top of that, id love to mention the connections ive made with the girls, they not only come to me with math, but other subjects as well that i am glad to answer/help with. Some girls even talk to me about relationship advice or advice in general, which is amazing! Not only was i able to help them but they really helped me as well. I have learned to be more understanding and patient because some people need to take things slow and step by step to fully comprehend the information, and i had to understand that. This has been an amazing experience!

New update: Just like i said last week, i had a feeling my students grades improved and i was right! They have improved significantly just from the couple of sessions i've had with each of them. Not only has they're grade raised an average of 5 points, but they're confidence with math raised as well. i am so proud of my girls that i want to give them all a little goodie-basket to just show them that i am proud of they're hard work! Side note: I am still looking for new students or anyone who needs help even if its just a session, i am open to everyone and anyone who needs help. Next week is the last week until Interim (Genius Hour Projects due). I am so sad this project is coming to an end,  but i feel like i want to continue this outside of school because i love being able to help the younger students at FRA. Stay tuned for next week! 

New update: this week I've gotten to tutor the same girls as last time, and on top of that I am tutoring a new girl that was in the classroom when i gave my elevator pitch. I am very proud of my girls, I have seen improvement just by 3 sessions with some of them, they're getting the concepts now and and able to do the problems themselves without asking me to give them a hint about what to do next. This week i am going to do a "grade check", basically i know the grade they started with so i am just going to make sure they're still on track and if they need help in any other areas or if they've mastered what we're learning! For the most part i am very proud to say each student has mastered the majority of what they're learning right now. Sadly i did not get to speak at the middle school convocation last week because of the girls basketball game on Thursday, but i am still determined to find a time in my schedule so i can do that. Stay tuned for an update next week!

New update: This week was very successful i got to go into a middle school classroom and give an elevator pitch to my genius hour. Afterwards i gave 3 girls my email who said they were going to let me know where they can meet up so i can help them. I think it went perfectly and I presented it just like i should, I hooked them by introducing my name and giving them a quick background story which let them realize that i had empathy for needing math tutoring. After that they all seemed very intrigued, and i got their attention. It made me so happy that i was able to present and get 3 girls who came out of their comfort zone and asked for help. Next, I was able to help with a math problem, one girl already wanted to ask me a couple questions. (See picture below). I am so happy of the progress i made, I am very excited to see what is going to happen to the future weeks to come because it will only get better from here. Stay tuned for next week!

New update: As you saw in my last post i had my interview with an expert who used to help children with math. This week I am taking a big step and getting out of my comfort zone. I am finally and officially speaking at the middle school convocation this Thursday when we get back from break to give a quick elevator pitch and promote my Genius Hour Project. I have always struggled with public speaking, but I feel like i needed to do this because not only would i be going to the source itself, but i need to get out of my comfort zone. Side note; i have another student i will be tutoring, and this week i have 2 appointments. I have a busy Thursday and Friday this week so stay tuned for pictures and an update next week!

New update: This week was an interview with my moms friend who used to tutor high school students she is experienced and is now a nurse; I asked her a couple questions about how I can improve on teaching other student and what I need to say in order to actually make an impact. I came up with a list of 7 questions to keep it short and simple but still gather important information. I will list the questions below. I didn’t get to film our interview but I did get a picture that I will also upload below. I am so glad I got to interview with an expert because now I have gained a better understanding of what I need to do and how I can improve. She said one of the main things I need to do is interact with each student I tutor and gain an understanding of who they are and what kind of teaching they need because each student is different and each student learns a different way, so I need to acknowledge that and figure out what each person needs. I am very grateful I have someone I can call or text who is an expert if I ever need help, I cant wait to see the progress ill make, stay tuned for next week.

New update: This week i have recently called a tutor to set up my interview with them, in fact Bryce gave me his card which i would like to thank in advance; thank you Bryce.When i Talked to him we set up a date and time to meet this weekend, i told him Sunday or Monday works and he said that he'd get back to me tomorrow (Monday 2/5/18) with an answer. I am trying to take the next step to make sure my sessions with students are the best they can e and the most effective. Side note; update on my convocation presentation, i emailed the staff leader and they haven't gotten back yet, i am hoping to speak to the middle school some time this week. I am very excited for this week because i am very confident i will have made much progress. Stay tuned for next week!

New update: My first tutoring session wasn't exactly a complete session, it was more a question and answer type thing. I was still very excited to help and be an outlet support. We sat down for 10 minuets and she asked me anything she was struggling with and what to do. She seemed like she got it, but practice makes perfect. I hope to see her again this week for tutoring so i can give her any additional help that's needed, on top of that i looked up a few practice problem for her to do if she want to, i also have the answer key so we can go over any missed problems and work it out. One more thing, update with the head of upper school i am trying to figure out a date and time to speak in convocation, that a little more difficult because our schedules are very different but i am still determined to figure this out. That's it for this week #5, stay tuned for next week!

New update: I have just got my first student to tutor, and 8th grader from my lacrosse team! We will meet in the high school commons one day after school and before practice so we can go over any questions she has and i can assist her with anything she is struggling with. I think this is a great start, because she is comfortable with me and can be honest with me that shes struggling; the start is being honest and making yourself vulnerable, after that comes the help and determination to get bed, lastly comes the success if it is wanted badly. I am still wanting to set up a day to meet with the head of the lower school so i can plan a day to talk to the middle school about my math tutoring. Stay tuned for the updates to come! This week is the start of my tutoring sessions!

Update of the week: I am not successful in setting up a time and date with students, but i am determined there is a student who needs extra help. I have now collaborated with another middle school math teacher, Ms. Kent Callahan! My next step is to talk to the head of the lower school, Mr. Harris, and speak at convocation about math tutoring. That way if anyone is interested they can just come right up to me and set up a day, instead of having the teacher be the middle-man. Another idea i had was to make fliers and pin them up around the school, I'd also leave my school email so people can contact me if they are too shy to come up to me in person. I am sure that after I take these steps, I will be successful in having multiple students to tutor!! Stay tuned for next weeks update!

To go over again exactly why I have decided to tutor middle school student in math, is because I don't ever want them to give up when times get difficult or have them feel like they cant do it... later in life that could lead to them giving up on anything they try to do that gets hard, and i wont stand for that, especially not at Franklin Road Academy. I personally have struggled with math, when i was little i would dread going to math class, and on test days i was so nervous about math that i couldn't even focus on any of the other classes i was taking. My goal is not only to help the students i tutor, but also to make sure their confident in their math skills and themselves. Starting off young to learn techniques is crucial, a part in the human brain called the Hippocampus makes it easier for children to learn material quicker and more efficiently, so to learn the formulas and rules now is mandatory, and I want to make sure they get that information. The last thing I'd like to mention is every student i tutor has now taken a step towards maturity, they recognize they need help, and go get it. This is a huge life skill and/or life lesson that is so helpful for getting older and going to college, it shows responsibility. I'm so excited to see my students grow and help them with whatever they need.