In response to the learning-gap created from online learning, the math department decided to start a math branch of the Falcon Family Peer Tutoring Program earlier this year.
Algebra 1 and Algebra 2 Honors teacher Lisa Ginestet-Araki said that the program is a “win-win” situation for both mentors and mentees as the former get volunteer hours, and the latter get practice on math topics they may have been struggling on.
Mentors develop many collaborative skills into teaching math to their peers, according to Ginestet-Araki. She added that students learn how to collaborate with one another, including speaking to others in a constructive way while explaining concepts. They also need to evaluate what mentees understand to know what they need help with.
“I think that it’s really important to increase collaboration, especially in classes like math, where some students don’t talk as much as they should,” Ginestet-Araki said.
She said students involved in the program also build time management and communication skills through organizing schedules and meeting times. Ginestet-Araki believes that this will help students with discipline, and provide them a structure for learning and practicing math.
Calculus BC and Algebra 1 teacher PJ Yim is also reaching out to his students about his own peer mentoring program, which follows a similar structure, but covers different topics.
Sophomore Medha Ravi decided to volunteer for Yim’s mentoring program because she immensely enjoys both learning about math and helping people.
Ravi has noticed several skills she has strengthened while being a mentor. For example, she has learned how to discuss a problem and help the student arrive at an answer themselves.
One technique Ravi uses is asking the student to explain the problem back to her step-by-step, so she can see where the misunderstandings lie.
“Through this experience, I’ve learned that you can learn from being a mentor as well,” Ravi said. “I hope that I will be able to make a positive impact.”
Ginestet-Araki has seen that peer mentoring can often be more helpful than going only to a teacher for help.
As of right now, however, only a few students are taking advantage of the peer mentor program.
“I think a lot of times in math, it’s just nice to hear it from a different voice rather than just your teacher,” Ginestet-Araki said. “A student might have a different way of explaining or understanding a concept that makes more sense.”