Peer tutoring, a longstanding program at the high school, provides students with assistance from other students in any subject, tailored to their needs.
Students can receive guidance on their homework, help with studying for a test, or just extra practice if they are having difficulty understanding things in their classes. Peer tutoring is easy to access. The tutors are available before homeroom every day, and during the second half of Lunch and Learn on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Mrs. Fusarelli, one of the advisors of the program, explains, “As teachers and tutors, we want to help students gain confidence in their abilities. Working with a peer tutor, who learned this information or skill more recently, may help you see it in a different light.”
Tutors’ Thoughts
Anne Metz, one of the peer tutors, speaks about her love for tutoring. She says, “I’ve always had a passion for learning and education, and helping others through that process. I love the lightbulb moment when the tutee understands something they were struggling with.”
Photo Courtesy of Alessandra Santarelli
She is inspired when she sees “people gaining confidence and independence when they work with a tutor, because they are able to get one-on-one attention that can be specifically tailored to their unique learning style and questions, which is something that is harder to get in a large classroom experience.”
Peer tutor Siena Bedard explains, “To me, being a peer tutor is important because it shows students that it’s okay to ask for help. When tutoring becomes less intimidating and more like a supportive conversation, students leave with not just the right answer, but confidence to find it on their own,” and peer tutor Josie Kling mentions the uniqueness in how “it is important to have people to go to for help who are closer to your age and also know the classes and teachers firsthand.”
Connecting with a Tutor
Peer tutoring takes place in Room 223 (Mrs. Ward). When a student needing help arrives, they are paired up with a tutor who is experienced with the coursework. They can also request to work with someone they have worked with before. The tutors are typically seniors and some juniors, who have likely taken many of the classes at school, or have personal experience, such as fluency in a foreign language.
Student Impressions
Lucia Martin, tutored by Metz in German through her fall semester class, shares her experience. “Peer tutoring helped me stay on task and learn without interruption. My peer tutor helped me prepare for tests and helped improve my overall understanding of German; she even gave me vocab sheets and explanations for German rules. I saw improvements not only in my test and quiz grades but also in my overall comprehension of German. Peer tutoring helped me to put in more effort and find better ways to study.”
Another student, Peter Mitzak, who often comes to peer tutoring during homeroom, mentions, “I have found the program to be very helpful. I’ve noticed a huge change in my grades, and I’m doing way better on tests and quizzes. I would recommend this course to all who need help.”
Mrs. Fusarelli concludes, “Understanding also doesn’t happen overnight. Students may need to see us for a while before learning starts to click. But ultimately, we hope to help alleviate some of the stress and anxiety that comes with academic challenges.” In summary, peer tutoring is an available option during the school day to receive help in your studies.
