Tutoring is not just a sideline extracurricular activity for high-schoolers, but tends to change the lifestyle of tutors at Connect Me. For many, mornings begin differently now. Some start with a cup of coffee and a quiet moment before school, while others hit the snooze button a few times before rushing out the door. But one thing remains constant: checking the Connect Me dashboard. One tutor stated, “It’s funny how within a couple of months, I’m refreshing the dashboard and committed to earning my hours because I know I have tutoring every Wednesday at 7.”
As the school day unfolds, tutors balance homework, extracurriculars, and classes of their own. They might squeeze in a study session at lunch or a quick review of a lesson plan between periods. “Sometimes I’ll glance over my lesson plan for my student between classes,” another tutor shares. “It keeps me feeling accomplished and organized.” For other tutors, chapter meetings at their own high school take place to engage their school with the mission of free one-on-one tutoring.
As the school day comes to an end, lessons unfold on Zoom. Reminders go out fifteen minutes before each Connect Me session, helping students prepare, but they often help tutors too. Tutors and students find their own rhythm and styles by breaking down tricky algebra problems, forming ideas for homework, or using new methods to keep their students engaged. The hour goes by fairly fast, but there’s laughter, focus, and a lightbulb moment when something finally clicks.
Once the lesson wraps up, tutors complete their session exit forms, reflecting briefly on what went well and what they taught during the session. It’s a small step, but it helps track progress and keeps the connection between tutors and program organizers strong.
Evenings are for catching up on schoolwork for busy high-school tutors, but there’s a quiet sense of purpose that lingers. “It feels good ending the day knowing you helped someone grow,” says another tutor. “It reminds you that a small bit of your time can make a real difference.”
