Anthony Banks and Ben Minadeo needed help with math.
But since the two 13-year-old middle-school students have signed up for tutoring, figuring out percentages and decimal places has been a breeze.
“You’re challenged educationally,” Banks said. “I get most of my homework done here.”
MSU students and older East Lansing High School students have been tutoring high school and middle school students since 1998 in math, English, foreign languages or anything a student needs.
But lack of space in the East Lansing School District buildings put the program in jeopardy.
With the opening of the Hannah Community Center, 819 Abbott Road, in January those problems have been resolved. The center staff stepped in and provided an area for the students.
The tutoring sessions, held in the Hot Spot Teen Club from 2:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m., Tuesdays and Thursdays, are open to students from grades eight to 12.
The time spent away from television and other distractions has been a major factor in improvements in their studies.
“It’s really helpful for me to do my homework here,” Minadeo said. “At home I really don’t feel like doing my homework.”
There were 194 tutors enlisted in the program last year, but Julie Pohl, a student support supervisor for East Lansing schools, said there always is a need for more tutors.
Even with nearly 200 tutors working last year, there were 232 students looking for help.
“Some of them are getting credit, others are just using it as a service or resumé builders,” Pohl said.
The tutors who do volunteer their time highly recommend that other MSU students get involved.
Chemistry senior Justin Keeler tutors German in between school and acting as a substitute teacher.
By volunteering, students are giving a positive image to kids who might need help, he said.
“It feels good to give back,” he said. “I think it would be better for the student body as a whole.”
City employees said they knew bringing the program to the community center would do wonders for middle and high school students - and for more than just help with their studies.
“College students are seen as cool when you are a middle or high-school student,” said Kathleen Miller, youth coordinator for the East Lansing Parks and Recreation Facilities Department.
There is a relationship that develops between the students, Pohl said.
“Many of the tutoring relationships are mentoring relationships,” she said. “MSU has been very gracious to us, without them we wouldn’t have this program.”
