About the Math Mentors Program
“Math Mentors,” established in 2021, is a unique and highly impactful non-profit mathematics tutoring camp for underserved charter schools in Houston, Texas.
We maintain 15 tutors and have partnered with KIPP Academy and Yellowstone College Preparatory schools.
Over the last three years, our small 1 : 4 mentor to student ratio has supported over 100 students who did not pass the Texas STAAR exams improve their math skills and advance to the next grade level.
Awards
Council Winner of the National Adams Eagle Scout Project of the Year ’23
The first time a project from Troop 55, established in 1933, has ever won this award.
Eagle Scout Speaker for Sam Houston Area Council’s Annual Breakfast ‘23
Presented how this project impacts students to over 600 Houston area executives.
Messenger of Peace Award '22
Eagle Project was recognized for its positive change in community, promoting a global sense of friendship, and inviting others to work together to address local community issues.
Project Development and Approach
Students attending this week long camp, come from different academy locations and vary in their initial skill sets. So Carter assigns students to groups based on the results of their initial assessment and then leads his mentor groups through each week using his customized daily teaching materials.
On the first day, most students are unable to complete the initial assessment. Then, after some individual attention and great work all week, it is very rewarding that approximately 75% of the students pass their exit exam.
Character and Leadership
During preparation sessions before class, tutors go over the materials for the day to make sure they are on the same page and ready to teach.
Once the students entered the classrooms, we find that by showing them respect, encouragement and using creativity to make the math lessons fun, most of the kids pay attention, are engaged, and learn the material.
Tutors build the level of difficulty as students progress through the worksheets. Carter is always on site and circulates around the room providing feedback and helps with any issues.
Benefits of Enrolling in a Camp Session
Develop personal connections, engage students and have fun
Address student needs in small 4 : 1 student to tutor ratio
Use a diagnostic exam to customize course materials
Build daily adaptable worksheets based on student learning
Share our passion so students might improve their skills and develop an excitement for future mathematical adventures
Tools for Engagement
We start with a gathering activity, offer daily warm ups and have snacks.
Prizes like starbursts are awarded for exemplary student engagement.
On the final day, we leave students with tips and tricks for future success.
Impact and Where Math Mentors Can Go in The Future
We connect with students on a personal level by learning their names and some of their ambitions. We encourage them to learn that although math may not come easily at first, if they stick with it, understanding these core skills will serve them well in their future.
This project is transferable. Our hope is that more ConnectAcademy schools will use our materials and framework of small group volunteer mentoring in their schools going forward. If we can recruit more troops and high school volunteers that are A math students, they too could have the opportunity to share their passion for math and give back to less fortunate students who need a little more help in their own communities.
There are 34 tuition-free Academy Houston schools educating close to 21,000 students from educationally underserved communities in the Houston area. Our goal is to continue to grow and reach all of these academies. If they can implement Carter’s Math Mentors, many more students will benefit from a much more personalized learning experience than their typical student-teacher ratio of 22 : 1.
Math Mentors brings in a smaller student-mentor ratio of 4 : 1 for individualized attention and personal development.
Carter would be happy to meet with additional teachers and principals from any school. Upon request, he is happy to either create more free math materials based on additional needs or bring our Math Mentors your school.
The Math Mentor Resource Library - On Services Tab
Please see the library of math resources on the services tab of this website. It is available for high school youth mentors to utilize when tutoring their peers.
Additionally, as an incentive to recruit more youth volunteers, it may be possible to coordinate some scout or school service hours.
Carter's vision: "My vision is to continue to grow this project and create more mentor-student groups that volunteer in smalls settings across Texas. This will create greater human connection while empowering struggling students to grasp math concepts and get on a better path for success.
With this vision, even more students could grow to enjoy math, just like me."