Within the realm of education, tutoring emerges as a guiding light, a resource that reinforces the foundations of learning and ignites profound transformations in students’ lives. Tutoring, with its ability to address diverse learning needs, empowers students to reach their full potential and discover the joy of lifelong learning.
“Tutoring has helped me gain confidence regarding my abilities. It has shown me that I am capable of overcoming academic challenges!”, explains Maria Paria Corona (’24), a current senior at Graded. Not only does tutoring provide students with personalized attention, but it also “fosters personal growth and facilitates the development of a sense of responsibility for their [students’] studies”. As tutoring tailors learning experiences to individual needs, it can enhance subject comprehension, boost confidence, and instill essential learning and critical thinking skills, such as problem-solving. This one-on-one approach not only helps students struggling to catch up but also encourages those who seek more intellectual challenges. “When specific, basic skills are not developing as you would expect, or when a child has a diagnosed learning disability, having a tutor can help her build those special skills or compensate for the ones she lacks,” described learning specialist Susan J. Schwartz, M.A. Ed., clinical coordinator at the Institute for Learning and Academic Achievement at the New York University Child Study Center.
Cross-Age Peer tutoring, for example, is a strategy in which students support other students in the learning process. In this, older and younger students are paired, where the older student assumes the role of the tutor. Through the peer-to-peer connection, tutoring establishes a more comfortable and open learning environment for the tutee. Furthermore, student tutors are able to better understand the challenges and learning styles of their students because of connections to their own academic experience, hence resulting in more targeted and relatable support. This relatability encourages a sense of camaraderie, strengthening the learning experience and making it more engaging and effective.
At Graded, the Graded Mentoring and Tutoring Program (GMT) is a student-run club that matches High School students with Lower and Middle School students for weekly tutoring sessions custom to their needs. The program aims to both create a helpful learning environment in the community and form lasting bonds between tutors and their tutees. This opportunity is offered to all High School students, while all tutees must be from grades 1 to 8.
Graded senior Julia Soret, a tutor at GMT, explains that tutoring goes beyond academics. “I feel like it creates an environment where students feel safe to discuss their problems with us. We have already gone through very similar experiences that they are currently experiencing, so we know what it feels like, and understand their frustrations”, she mentions. Julia also adds that GMT has helped her grow as a person, strengthening her organizational and communication skills.
“When I was younger, I had a GMT tutor, which really helped me because not only did I get to overcome my academic challenges, but it also made me feel comforted and less stressed as I had someone to talk to”, describes Mariel Soriano (’24), another member of the GMT program. She further emphasizes the importance of helping others, and how happy it makes her feel: “The feeling of being able to help someone [and] having a positive impact in their lives is so special. I love supporting younger students to navigate through their academic journey.”, she adds.
Skerry Lu (’25), GMT leader, who has been part of the program since her freshman year, believes that although GMT and peer tutoring cannot replace teaching, they can reinforce academics. She mentions that she finds it “so cool to see” tutees who now become tutors: “These full circle moments really show how much kids can grow with some help!”. Skerry also describes that what makes GMT special are the relationships forged, “You get to build relationships that are super beneficial to both the tutor and the tutee. Sometimes you just need to talk to someone who isn’t an adult but can give good advice and care about you”. GMT this year had approximately 70 tutors and tutees in the sign-up, and the club hopes to increase “contact with teachers in the sense of having students curriculum, as well as small group sessions that can be offered whenever there’s a test”.
Tutoring becomes more than just a means for academic improvement; it becomes a gateway to personal empowerment, a platform for sharing experiences, and a catalyst for enduring connections. One of the most inspiring aspects of tutoring is its inclusivity, as it has no boundaries to who can be a tutor. Peer tutoring, exemplified by programs like GMT, creates an atmosphere of partnership and openness, where older students offer a helping hand to their younger peers. The result is not just receiving enhanced academic support, but also the establishment of meaningful relationships within the community.
Sources
https://study.com/academy/lesson/peer-tutoring-definition-pros-cons.html
