Sounds of enthusiasm buzz in the library every WIN block from the Peer Tutoring program.

As a way for students to help students, the Peer Tutoring initiative exists for students to give and receive tutoring in all subjects available at North as long as there are tutors covering them in the program. Students reach out to the teacher of the subject they need help in and from there, their teacher contacts history teacher Jamie Bal, who advises the program.

“Folks get help in a subject that they need particular support in, and they get that one on one time that you might not consistently get from a teacher who has twenty-five students in a WIN,” said history teacher Jamie Bal, adviser of the Peer Tutoring program. To apply to be a tutor or receive tutoring, students can visit North’s website.

Freshman Melanie Burke is tutored by sophomore Kathryn Fine.

“I would not have gotten my work done if it wasn’t for her,” said Burke, “I can actually talk to her and take breaks.”

Students interested in connecting to other students and learning along the way should consider the Peer Tutoring program, a program meant to help students, according to Bal.

“I think it’s beneficial to be a tutor too; one of the best ways to learn is by teaching and I think it sharpens your skills in the subject you’re tutoring in and you get to understand it better,” said Bal. “It also just gives you a little bit of leadership and mentoring skills.”

Every grade level is able to both receive and provide tutoring. However, according to Bal, ninth graders who want to tutor should know opportunities are scarce as most curriculum is new to them. 

To apply to be a tutor or receive tutoring, students can go to North’s website.

“When pairing, I look at grade range and when possible, I try to pair up someone with someone one grade above them. It tends to mean the material is pretty fresh in their eyes,” said Bal.

Tutor training occurs in the fall through meetings with Bal. “We go over everything from just the logistics of the program to making a welcoming atmosphere for someone looking for support, to just sorting out the nuts and bolts of what you do every day in tutoring.”

Homework amount wavers throughout the year, and the Peer Tutoring program adapts to such conditions.“Sometimes the tutees don’t need the whole time to work,” said Sophomore Santi Cuervo, a Peer Tutor. Sometimes we’ll work for half the block and then they can just do whatever they want, any work they have to do, it just really depends.”

“I think that the program creates a really nice space whenever I walk into the library in WIN. It’s just all students supporting students,” said Bal.