Math JLC Volunteers

JLC Volunteers Math

by Shellisa Multrie

Giving students a strong foundation in math is the goal of Heart Math Tutoring. The program launched in 2013, serving Charlotte students in first-fifth grade who are performing two to three years below grade level in math. The Junior of League of Charlotte, Inc. (JLC) found a natural partner with Hearth Math. The JLC’s School Ready Initiative focuses on educational needs of children from the communities Hearth Math serves.

“The JLC has supported Heart Math through generous funding and volunteers, annually sponsoring 10- 15 tutors,” said Holly Rodden, Grants Manager and Program Director of Heart Math Tutoring.

Students participate with tutors, including JLC members, a few times a week using a guided curriculum for practice. Volunteers commit to 30 minutes or one hour to help students practice a variety of math skills. Students may receive small incentives like stickers for progressing through the math modules. The member volunteer base is the heartbeat of Heart Math.

When asked what she loves about volunteering here, JLC member and Heart Math Tutoring Vice Chair, Lucy Blough says, “Heart Math Tutoring is such a rewarding experience seeing the positive impact we have helping the students improve their math skills as well as their overall confidence. Our students we tutor are always SO excited for the one on one time

they receive each week and it is amazing to see how much they grow over the school year!”

“In the past six years, Heart Math Tutoring has grown from two to 23 school sites, of which 10 are located in JLC priority zip code areas,” Rodden explains. “This important work translates to math skills, confidence, and long-term success for Charlotte students,” she continued.

Through weekly interactions, volunteers build relationships with students centered around academic success.

“Part of my role at Heart Math is to be the link between the organization and the schools and communities we serve,” said Gia Page, Heart Math Tutoring Program Coordinator, Statesville Road Elementary School. “Each day that I work towards this mission, I am living my passion and my vision that all students will have equitable access to an education that will help them build and sustain the life which they desire,” she continued.

Heart Math Tutoring shares the JLC’s commitment to improving the community through the work of volunteers. It was designed based on the belief that volunteers can positively influence the trajectory of student academic success, if given the necessary tools and resources.