One Hour of Your Time Each Week = Student Success With Heart Math Tutoring
At SHARE Charlotte, we want to build a better community by empowering nonprofits and by helping people give back in ways that matter most to them. Today, we're excited to feature Heart Math Tutoring and chat about what they do and how Charlotteans can get involved.
Meet Heart Math Tutoring
“This program has helped my child become more confident with math. I see so much progress! He gets excited about math equations now instead of feeling defeated.” - Parent of a Heart student
There's nothing our students need more today than the confidence to believe in their skills and an encouraging friend can make all the difference. That's where Heart Math Tutoring (HMT) makes an impact in our community for elementary-aged students who test below grade level. “HMT is the best model for volunteering that I have ever witnessed, " says one of their volunteers. "Time is maximized through prepared materials, readily available supplies, and communication logs. Students love the one-on-one time and it is a delight to watch their confidence and enthusiasm bloom.”
We know our community cares about education. Why is there a great need for math tutors in Charlotte?
Currently, only 35% of Charlotte fourth graders are proficient in math (2022 NAEP). Without intervention, scores tend to decline between 4th and 8th grade, as course difficulty increases. Math proficiency is critical for academic confidence, high school graduation, and post-secondary and career options. Without passing Algebra I, a high school diploma becomes out of reach, which is critical for most employment opportunities.
In fact, 75% of the fastest-growing occupations require significant math or science preparation. We want all students to feel empowered AND prepared to pursue any opportunity they choose. All students can learn to understand numbers with targeted, hands-on practice. However, our teachers have limited capacity to give students one-on-one attention, and not all families can afford private tutoring.
How do your volunteers make an impact?
With just 30 minutes or one hour per week, volunteers make a huge difference in a student’s school year! We tell our volunteers that their job is 50% math tutor and 50% mentor. HMT provides a fun, hands-on researched-based curriculum and highly trained onsite coordinator to ensure that anyone with an hour per week can be successful in improving a student’s math skills and confidence.
Here are some stats about the impact Heart volunteers make:
💜 97% of HMT students to date have met the program growth goals set in collaboration with CMS and UNCC math specialists, indicating the strength of the program model and efficacy of one-on-one tutoring.
💜 90% of teachers report that students show an increase in enthusiasm and/or confidence towards academics as a result of the program.
💜 60% of teachers have reported that students’ confidence increased in subjects other than math!
How can people make a difference right now for Charlotte's students?
Charlotteans can help right now by volunteering to become a tutor and fill the gap for students on our waitlist. HMT tutors are currently supporting 1,000 students throughout Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools, and we have an additional 150 on waitlists across our partner schools who have been nominated by their school to work with an in-person tutor.
Here's what volunteering looks like:
- 1 hour per week commitment
- No math expertise or teaching experience required
- Multiple school locations and times available
Here's how you'll get matched with a student:
- Choose the school, day and time that works best for you and we will match you with a student!
- Once signed up, tutors complete two one-hour training sessions, complete the CMS background check, and then begin working with a student!
GET STARTED HERE!
More ways to get involved:
⏩️ Share the sign-up link with friends or family who may be interested in supporting a student so that we can provide more tutors to students who wouldn’t have access otherwise!
💌 If you aren’t able to tutor through our program but want to support our work, we ask that you consider making a gift towards our efforts.
Thank you, Heart Math Tutoring, for your dedication to improving student outcomes in Charlotte-Mecklenburg!