WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (WGHP) — If a child falls behind in math, it can affect not only their entire academic career, but also their future work career. 75% of the fastest-growing occupations today require significant math or science preparation. One organization in the Carolinas is working to make sure students have those math skills they need.
“Every child needs a champion that is able to believe in them and build relationships,” said Cydney Clifton, Executive Director of National Partnerships for Heart Math Tutoring. “What we’re doing is bringing community volunteers that may not have other experiences in the public schools to be able to build those and foster those relationships and use really the ability to learn math as a tool for character development and perseverance, to understand that all things are possible.”
Those relationships between tutors and volunteers are the focus of Heart Math Tutoring. The program started in Charlotte in 2010 as a way to make sure students didn’t fall behind in math. Today, the program has expanded to Charleston, South Carolina and now to three schools in Winston-Salem. More than 1,400 weekly volunteers help more than 1,300 students.
“We were brought into Winston through local champions and unanimous support from the school board, really addressing that there was a need for early math support and not something that was currently being offered,” said Clifton…