A university class meets with high school students three times a week for a “power hour.”
But instead of guzzling beers, students sit side-by-side at desks to answer homework questions and solve problems during an hour in the afternoon for participants in the Northwestern High School Boys and Girls after-school program.
The 38 university students registered for the American studies class, AMST 498J: Special Topics in American Studies: Popular Culture, Youth and Literacy, are divided into three groups that visit the high school on three separate days each week for two hours to tutor and spend time with students.
“I think it’s a lot of fun because honestly, if I was at home, I would not be doing homework right now,” said Imann Fletcher, a ninth-grade student at the school.
Associate professor Jo Paoletti, who teaches the class, said she wanted to give university students the chance to gain service learning experience and teach a class without lectures and highlighting textbooks.
“I think many University of Maryland students are hungry for the opportunity to do real work in the classroom,” Paoletti said. “The class is actually engaging in something that’s real life.”
This is the second semester the class has been offered and Paoletti, along with a returning student, worked to improve the program. Tutors met with students in a cafeteria last spring, which Paoletti said was not conducive to studying.
“This time we know what the problems were, and we can probably overcome them,” Paoletti said.
Tanjira Ahmed, a junior finance major, took the class last spring and is one of the course’s two teaching assistants this fall. She said the class’ structure has improved, and she believes the university students’ presence is positive for the high school students.
“I feel like it has made a huge difference,” Ahmed said. “I feel like being here. I have little siblings, and I get to influence them.”
Other tutors said they feel like role models.
“It’s good for kids to have role models that aren’t superstars and have someone they can relate to more,” said junior English major Ben Izaurralde.
“I think it’s kind of fun because it’s better than sitting in a lecture,” said Brian Gore, a senior American studies major. “It’s making me stronger academically by doing something I’m not very good at.”
Some of the tutored students said they have noticed improved grades.
“I know I understand, and that way my grades can get better,” said Claudia DeLoatch, a high school freshman.
Tutors have also learned to focus on similarities, not differences, between themselves and the high school students.
“I’ve learned that even with different backgrounds you can still really relate and make a difference in the kids’ lives,” said Sara Smith, a junior elementary education major.
After power hour, students usually go to the high school recreation room with computers, a pool table, two foosball tables and couches.
Despite her initial concerns, Paoletti said the program will continue next semester. She said about eight to 10 students will continue the program during the winter or spring semesters.
“If you’re a tutor and you mess up, there’s another human being involved, but the students have risen so far above the occasion, it hasn’t been an issue,” Paoletti said.
Paoletti can propose that the course become permanent after next semester.
