Free Math Tutoring

Perhaps you didn't know already, but we offer free math tutoring twice a week at Rockrimmon Interim Library, geared at middle school and high school students. To shine a little more light on this fantastic program, I thought you'd enjoy reading a brief Q&A with our math tutor, Jacquie Ostrom. Enjoy!

What inspired you to start offering free math tutoring at the Rockrimmon Interim Library?

I was inspired to offer Math Tutoring because I love Mathematics! It's beautiful, amazing, and I get excited about sharing how much fun and joy it can bring.

What do you enjoy most about working with students on math?

Working with students, you get to open their horizons to wonderful aspects of mathematics. For example, how parabolas are used in the headlights of cars, in TV and Satellite dishes and in some parabolic solar arrays. I get to see the light bulbs go on in their heads and the smile on their faces when they "get it".

How would you describe your teaching style?

As a tutor, I do my best to meet the student where they are, find out what their needs are, and go at a pace they can feel comfortable with. I'm patient and I listen well to find out the best way to communicate. I'm gentle and kind.

Many people find math intimidating — how do you help students feel more confident?

When my own daughter came home from school in tears one day about her math homework, I said Oh Honey, let's sit down and play math together, it's supposed to be fun!

She was sceptical but after a while she said "is that all there is to it?" Yes! Now it's your friend!, I replied.

Praise and Patience are essential to building confidence, just like in parenting. I give plenty of positive feedback and let them know with joy when they've understood! They soon get the feeling of Yes! I can do this.

You have a background in both teaching and counseling — how does that experience shape your tutoring?

My counseling background helps me to be very patient with students, to take the time to listen to them and understand where they need my help. I give positive feedback and let them know when I can see all the things they are doing right. It helps them feel more comfortable and they develop self-confidence, and the feeling that yes!, they can do this!

What’s one thing you wish all students (and parents!) knew about learning math?

Sometimes algebra is introduced too early in a child's brain development. The frontal lobe of the brain, where we understand mathematical concepts, is not fully developed at the same pace in all children. If some of the children could be given another year or two for their frontal lobe to more fully develop, they would grasp the concepts much more easily. Some poor souls go through life thinking they're terrible at math or they come to dislike or even hate math. But if they could come back to it a few years later, the puzzle pieces would fit together more easily and they could learn to like it, even enjoy it!

What do you love most about being part of this community-run library?

It's been great getting to know members of our community and there are so many caring parents and students! It's delightful!

Just for fun: If you could describe math in three words, what would they be?

Beautiful! Joyful! Useful!

Thank you, Jacquie! 💫🌟🌟🌟💫