Students tutor peers to academic success

By SaMeeha JiLaNi
Contributing Writer

While some students see tutoring as just another job, most Costa students view tutoring as a way to help others succeed academically while stimulating their own educational interests.

English teachers Alan Zeoli and Michael McAvin run the after-school peer tutoring program in the Mira Costa Library. The tutors in this program are all Costa students who volunteer their time.

“The fact that students donate their valuable time to help others succeed is really special,” sophomore Phoebe Lyons said. “Having a concept taught by a peer makes it easier to understand.”

Tutoring positions are open to students of all grades. The only prerequisite is that the student must have previously taken the class or must be currently enrolled. Courses vary daily depending on available tutors. During the two-hour tutoring sessions, the tutors help students to complete their
Students tutor peers to academic success homework or study for upcoming tests.

“It’s great to see the happiness on a student’s face when he or she finally understands a concept,” senior tutor Michelle Nwoke said. “It makes all of the effort we put in as tutors worth it.”

Zeoli and McAvin agreed to spearhead the program when it became clear to the administration that a lot of Costa students needed extra support in their academic classes. After school, students can go to the library on Monday through Thursday from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. for extra help in subjects
including English, math, history, Spanish and some Advanced Placement classes.

“I enjoy tutoring because it gives the opportunity to use my knowledge to help peers,” sophomore Joe West said.

According to McAvin, the tutoring program is not a well-known program at Costa, yet several students are taking advantage of the free academic aid.

“Tutoring gives me the opportunity to help those who are seeking improvement in their grades,” Nwoke said.