More than 60 UToledo undergraduate and graduate students — most of whom are working toward their teaching licensure through the Judith Herb College of Education — tutored local kindergarten through eighth graders in math and reading during the academic year.
William Quinones Ramos, a senior from San Juan, Puerto Rico, who is studying middle childhood education with a concentration in language arts and mathematics, was one of 16 math tutors from UToledo who staffed Tutoria de Matematicas at Toledo Public Schools’ bilingual Escuela SMART Academy in south Toledo.
William Quinones Ramos, who is pursuing a degree in math education, teaches the concept of “equals” meaning “the same as” to Escuela third graders in after-school math tutoring.
“I learned from the tutees that they all loved a teacher that is nice and energetic, and they loved the amount of fun art and math can be when it is somewhat challenging,” Ramos said. “The tutees I had were amazing and lovable.”
He added that he learned something as well.
“It was my first time ever tutoring actual students and I learned that I was able to teach well,” he said. “The experience of having confidence grew throughout the months I worked at Escuela SMART. I also learned that there are always different ways you can teach students a certain topic. Some students may not understand a specific concept, but I always loved receiving tips from those who were already in their field.”
Dr. Jason Cox, head of the UToledo art education program, and Dr. William Weber, retired math education professor, provided curriculum and pedagogy in collaboration with the local TutorSmart non-profit. And Dr. Lynne Hamer, a professor and program coordinator in the Judith Herb College of Education, contributed academic expertise in community engagement.
Ramos
All faculty tutored alongside the student tutors to provide after-school math learning activities, utilizing art integration, to approximately 50 students per day, three days a week.
“It takes a lot of energy, planning and paperwork,” Hamer said. “It represents a major service commitment from faculty willing to take it on, but to me, it is what we are here to do: We get paid as individuals by the state; we exist as an institution to serve the local community; and the state has dedicated funds for helping local students become proficient in math. Plus, it gives our students a great teaching experience.”
UToledo students interested in tutoring in summer 2023 or fall 2023 should contact Dr. Lynne Hamer at lynne.hamer@utoledo.edu for math or Dr. Susanna Hapgood, an associate professor in the Department of Teacher Education, at susanna.hapgood@utoledo.edu for reading. Please put “TUTORING” in the subject line.
