Students Helping Students

by Devon Martin

Epic Peer-on-peer tutoring allows students to focus on disciplines they struggle to understand with an upperclassman. Peer-on-peer tutoring helps foster an environment of cooperation, support, and shared knowledge. Peer-on-peer tutoring enhances students’ educational journeys by offering customized learning.

Tutees find the material easier to grasp once they have established a connection with their tutor; this forms naturally because of the close age proximity. The sponsorships and connections they form with universities make the program possible. They offer education majors and juniors or seniors in high school the opportunity to tutor younger students and form an understanding of what teaching and mentoring are all about. When first starting up at the beginning of the 2023 school year, the program had 10 tutors, and by the beginning of their second year, they had approximately 115 tutors. The significant growth in participation and outreach outlines their success, as well as increased benchmark scores, grade point averages, and attendance. 

Peer tutors, who generously share their knowledge, develop a profound sense of responsibility and leadership. Throughout the 16 tutoring sessions they have they become mentors and friends to their tutees, providing not just academic help but also a source of inspiration and encouragement. It’s truly heartwarming to witness the transformation of students into supportive guides for their peers.

For the tutees, peer tutoring is a source of inspiration and empowerment. It boosts their confidence by allowing them to ask questions without hesitation and seek clarification on difficult concepts. It’s like having a safety net in the learning process, where mistakes are simply opportunities for growth. This positive reinforcement leads to improved learning outcomes and a genuine love for learning. 

Peer-on-peer tutoring also showcases the power of unity and teamwork within the classroom. It’s a reminder that we are all in this together, supporting each other to achieve our educational goals. This collaborative spirit not only enhances academic progress but also prepares students for the real world, where cooperation and shared knowledge are keys to success.

Those interested in becoming peer tutors must first apply. If chosen, potential tutors will need a teacher recommendation. Email lauren.williams@epiccharterschools.org for more information on peer tutoring.

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