Copernicus Tutoring

Shasta High School Seniors Offer Free Tutoring For Peers

Over the summer, Lily and Leah created a tutor application process, built a website, and recruited tutors for the Zoom-based program. By fall, Copernicus Tutoring had 16 tutors from across California, ready and willing to help students like Trenton Hagemeier, a freshman at Foothill High School in Pleasanton, CA. Distance learning — especially for his first year in high school — challenged Trenton. Trenton’s mother, Tiffany, had heard about Copernicus through word of mouth and registered him on the website. Tiffany says that, within three weeks of working with Pahul, an English and science tutor, Trenton’s grades “improved tremendously. The Copernicus administration matched him with the ideal tutor. The Zoom meetings have been informative, prompt, and professional. He feels inspired and looks forward to his weekly sessions.”

Leah Perez and Lily Gebhart were juniors at Shasta High School when COVID-19 hit Redding, CA in March. In addition to their long lists of extra-curricular activities (art and taekwondo for Lily, sewing and Science Bowl for Leah, and Model United Nations and California Association of Student Councils leadership for both), Lily and Leah regularly volunteered as after-school peer tutors. When the pandemic made in-person tutoring impossible, the pair began thinking about new ways to help peers with academics.

Distance-based solutions for distance learning challenges

Distance and hybrid learning models certainly have their advantages for Lily and Leah, who enjoy being able to manage their own time. Leah says, “I definitely sleep more than I would have!” But the two young tutors also recognize that distance learning adds layers of complexity to education. “This quarter at Shasta High there was a high number of deficiencies (non-passing grades) compared to normal,” Leah notes, “and I believe that’s the case at other high schools all around.”

It might seem odd to address distance-learning challenges with distance-based solutions, but Lily and Leah have observed a lack of motivation often poses the greatest initial hurdle. “With the people we’re tutoring, I think a big aspect is just having someone to work with you, help you focus, and push through to the end,” Leah says.

Tutors focus on what can help individuals the most

Copernicus Tutoring attracts student tutors looking to volunteer despite COVID-19 restrictions. Anisa Grewal, a senior at Shasta High, has “always loved to learn and share my learning with others,” but was struggling to find a safe, socially distanced way to log volunteer hours toward graduation “When I found out about Copernicus,” Anisa says, “I knew it was the program for me. It’s been really great so far.”

The website outlines tutor qualifications, including grade requirements and AP/IB test scores. Accepted tutors receive a Zoom orientation to learn best practices for communicating over Zoom. Tutors may only offer two hours of their time each week. “The more kids they tutor,” Leah explains, “the less personal it is; the less time to really focus on what can help individuals most.” Likewise, students who are tutored may only receive two hours of tutoring in a maximum of two subjects. “The majority of students who are doing two subjects do both subjects with the same tutor,” Lily says, “so they develop a bond with them and can coordinate with them on their own if they want.”

Passing the torch to younger tutors

Since launching on Instagram and starting a blog in September, Lily and Leah have expanded Copernicus Tutoring into three states on the East Coast. So far, 20 high school tutors offer one-on-one virtual help to kids as young as kindergarten, all the way through 12th grade. Most tutees are in 9th or 10th grade, but Copernicus tutors eagerly help students at all grade levels.

With two bright and driven young women at the helm, Copernicus Tutoring seems headed toward a burgeoning future — except that Lily and Leah will graduate in June of 2021. What happens after that?

Admirably, the founders have already begun thinking about how they will pass the torch to younger tutors. “We feel it’s important to have peer-to-peer tutoring rather than by a college student or adult,” Leah says, “We feel teenagers respond better to teenagers than to somebody else, so we want to keep that aspect of it.”

Regardless of what the future may hold, Copernicus Tutoring offers a highly valuable service to students today. “Copernicus has been a savior to me and all who partake in it,” says Anisa. “It’s helped me stay involved with my community and help out those who need it, all while maintaining a safe environment.”

Visit the website or email them to sign up as a tutor or to be tutored.