Meet Amelia & Jordyn

Published by Educational Justice on December 10, 2019

Amelia and Jordyn are a power team.

Both Activist and Scholar described how each has learned and grown from their tutoring sessions together. Although they’ve only been meeting together for a little over a year, this pair seems to have figured out how to communicate, get things done, and still find time to build a friendship.

“You only usually have about an hour or two hours, and you want to fill up as much of that time as you can, but it’s also important to take about five minutes or so out of that time to just talk and get to know each other,” Activist Amelia said. “That’s something that helps you communicate better.”

The 7th grader and 12th grader meet weekly to work on math skills with flashcards and expanding Jordyn’s vocabulary. Jordyn said that her sessions with Amelia are definitely different from school because they’re more fun and hands-on.

“I’ve noticed I’m getting way better at math, I’m scoring great grades on my math tests, and I’m getting better at reading comprehension,” Jordyn said.

The middle schooler said that a friend initially told her mom about the program and that she was excited to get some help with school, but she was still nervous in the beginning. Although math is Jordyn’s favorite, it’s been the subject this pair has focused on improving the most.

“It’s going to sound crazy, but math is actually my favorite because I like numbers for some reason, and I wanted to learn how to do more problems and answer things right,” Jordyn mentioned.

And Jordyn isn’t the only one who is learning and growing from their sessions. Amelia said she feels that she’s also gained some useful knowledge from her experience as an Activist.

“I’ve learned a lot from Jordyn on how to communicate certain ideas to other people…,” Amelia said. “You learn a lot about not just understanding a concept, but understanding how to translate that for someone else and figuring out multiple approaches to a subject.”

As this is Amelia and Jordyn’s last year together, both looked back on their experience and pondered what next year will bring — graduation for Amelia and a new Activist for Jordyn.

“I really wish she could stay again, but she’s going to go off to college and I’m scared to get someone new,“ Jordyn said.

Amelia responded with some advice for Jordyn regarding next year —

“It’s really important to prepare yourself for the fact that high school is a different sort of game. There is more homework; sometimes the rules can be a little stricter, but also be excited about high school…I think you’re really well prepared,” Amelia said to Jordyn. “But you’ll do great without me. I’ll just really miss you.”