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Tutor Sessions Boost Student’s Confidence in Math, and Much More
Just months ago, 14-year-old Emily Anderson’s report card revealed her struggle with math. She had never been a strong math student. Now, in a new school and faced with increasingly challenging subject material of pre-algebra, Emily fell behind fast.
“With all those kids to teach, the teacher didn’t have time to pull aside all the ones who have trouble and explain things individually,” says Mary Beth Anderson, Emily’s mother.
So Emily’s parents sought individual attention for their daughter elsewhere. They found it at Sylvan.
“Sylvan takes the time to make sure the students know the material. They don’t move on until a child gets it,” Anderson says.
Now, Emily’s getting it. “Her teacher used to say that Emily was quiet and never wanted to work on math problems. Now she’ll volunteer to go up to the board,” her mom says.
Emily’s confidence in math has had a domino effect, claims her mother. “It’s spilling over into other subjects. She’s making all A’s and B’s,” she says.
It’s also spilling over into other facets of her life. “Emily’s trying out for All-State Band. She wouldn’t have done that before Sylvan,” her mother says.
While Emily’s parents have been pleasantly surprised by the far-reaching effects of their daughter’s new-found self-assurance, Sylvan administrators say it’s nothing new.
“A lot of parents will say to me, ‘Now my child is trying out for soccer or football. And before, he never would have,’” says Heather Lewis, director of Sylvan’s Bridgeport, West Virginia center.
Lewis attributes Sylvan students’ confidence in part to the positive culture fostered by the staff. “We make a really big deal when we give out certificates of achievement. Our staff is very positive and enthusiastic over students’ successes,” Lewis says.
Emily’s success at Sylvan has earned her the confidence to continue confronting the challenges of an increasingly complex math curriculum. “She feels very positive that she can go on to high school and be successful in math,” says Emily’s mother.
Those positive feelings may reach far beyond the math classroom. “I always say, ‘Emily, you can be anything you want.’ Sylvan is giving her the tools to do that,” her mom says.
Although the future seems a long way off, Emily has already begun to give it some thought. “She told me the other day, ‘I think I’m going to be a nurse.’ She sees that her success is opening doors,” says Emily’s mother proudly.
To learn more about how Sylvan’s tutoring programs can meet your family's needs, please contact your local center by calling 1-800-228-3413 or use our Center Finder.
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