Senior Brooke Fairman (center) working with 8th grade students. (Photo submitted)
HUNTINGTON – Six members of Gateway’s chapter of the National Honor Society (NHS) have embarked on a second semester mentoring project at the junior high school. Seniors Katie Clark, Brooke Fairman, Danielle Fox, Samantha Levreault, Emily Potorski and Jade Tarris are providing math tutoring to eighth grade students twice a week during advisory.
Fourteen 8th grade students are attending and receive tutoring in algebra and pre-algebra from the NHS members.
The project was designed by 8th grade mathematics teacher Hannah Sullivan and Guidance Counselor Richard White. Dan Paradis, a parent and graduate student who is doing his guidance counseling practicum through UMASS with White this semester, is also giving time to the project.
“We’ve had very positive feedback from the teachers,” said Paradis, who reported that participating students are coming to class better prepared and with homework done. He noted that the 8th graders taking Algebra face a very challenging curriculum, especially at this point in the school year.
NHS members were recommended by their Advisor, Jim Duggan. They received training in leadership and role modeling, and were taught strategies to empower and encourage students.
Eighth grade students were assigned to, and work with, the same mentors each month. Work is provided by the 8th grade math teacher.
Paradis is thrilled with the caliber of work being done by the NHS members. “They’ve been very prompt, very professional, and very friendly,” he noted.
White noted that they hope to expand on this year’s success and grow the program next year to offer tutoring to 7th grade students, as well.
