Weddington 704-243-5782
At 7:30 a . m . every Monday through Friday , you can find Franco McGee at Benton Heights Elementary . He ’ s there as soon as the bell rings and spends six hours every day working on math concepts with four or five students a time .
Sometimes he ’ ll bring out flashcards and help students with their speed when remembering multiplication tables . Other times , he ’ ll provide the students with extra help with understanding something from a recent math class .
“ Every day we learn a lot of stuff . And if we don ’ t understand something , Mr . Franco helps us a lot so it ’ s better when we go to class and with our homework ,” said Benton Heights Elementary student Jadyn Rowdy . “ I ’ m really good at reading but I used to be not so good at math . But now , I ’ m getting smarter and smarter every day when I work with Mr . Franco .”
Sitting at a table in the Benton Heights Elementary media center , Franco said he ultimately made the decision to answer UCPS ’ recent call for math tutors this school year because he wanted to be a
UCPS tutor uses math to build meaningful relationships with students
positive male role model for students in his community .
“ I think kids need to see people like them in the classroom or in the community who want to have the opportunity to just be their mentor and support their teachers ,” he said , adding that Benton Heights is also his former elementary school . “ Teachers are very busy in their classrooms and may not have the opportunity to tackle some of the special needs that kids may have . So now I ’ m able to provide that support and assistance to teachers .”
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Franco said he ultimately made the decision to answer UCPS ’ recent call for math tutors this school year because he wanted to be a positive male role model for students in his community .
When asked what he enjoys most about working with the students , Franco said he can ’ t decide because he has loved every minute of being a math tutor .
“ We have a good time but I ’ m also tough on them . My expectation is that they learn and persevere and push through even when they ’ re frustrated ,” he said . “ We ’ re here to learn and we need to understand that ’ s why we ’ re here . And I think we have a lot of fun .”
Echoing that sentiment , five students who were seated at the table with Franco said he has not only helped them better understand their math problems but also encourages them to be more confident in their math skills .
“ When I get frustrated because I can ’ t get something , he helps me figure out the answer without really giving me the answer ,” said Benton Heights Elementary student Braylon White . “ He lets us figure out the answer by ourselves . So he pretty much pushes us with our studying .”
When asked why it ’ s important for community members to get involved with the tutoring program , Franco said that “ community is key .”
“ I just really try to do my part – it ’ s kind of the Each One Teach One mantra ,” he said . “ So if everyone could have some sort of that mindset , we ’ d be a whole lot better as a community .”
Interested in becoming a part-time math tutor ? Apply online today and don ’ t forget to include supervisory references .
— This article was provided by the Union County Public Schools Communications Office .
Weddington 704-243-5782
Subject Tutoring & Exam Prep www . huntingtonhelps . com / center / weddington
Parent Teacher Magazine • Nov / Dec 2017 • 9