Jakina

Certified Tutor

I graduated from Harvard University, earning a Master of Education from the Graduate School of Education. I also earned my Bachelor of Arts in Comparative Human Development at The University of Chicago. While attending The University of Chicago, I mainly focused my major courses on adolescent development and school development. Additionally, during college, I worked as a homework tutor at a youth center, interned in the youth development department for a housing nonprofit, as well as interned for a nongovernmental organization in Kigali, Rwanda.
After graduating from college, I worked for the Academy for Urban School Leadership (AUSL) as a Math+ tutor. Math+ was a math intervention program for Chicago Public Schools focusing on third through fifth grade students. As a Math+ tutor, I provided data-driven, small group math classes. After my stint with AUSL, I worked for By the Hand Club for Kids (BTH) as the 4th grade Team Leader. One aspect of BTH is providing afterschool programming for students in grades 1st through 12th. As a team leader, I assisted with homework, monitored an online reading program, and taught a Read- Aloud program. I also conducted home and school visits. These visits allowed me to build a partnership with my students' parents and teachers. Additionally, I was able to track academic progress and behavior.
While attending Harvard Graduate School of Education, I interned at a nonprofit named Tutors for All as the Math Skill Program Coordinator, where I transitioned from tutoring to coaching. As the coordinator, I managed the weekly logistics for a math tutorial program. I coached twenty- three tutors on instruction and behavioral management. I assisted with professional development days by planning and facilitating breakout sessions, introducing new tutors to the program's protocols and policies, implementing strategies for effective instructions, and providing tips for behavior management. I used assessment data to make instructional changes such as strategically grouping students, pairing them with tutors and setting relative goals based on their academic ability. I also worked closely with my students' math teachers and lead tutors to develop a curriculum for a group of accelerated students. Lastly, I implemented different organization systems to track academic progress.
As my background suggests, I enjoy tutoring reading and math. I have a stronger preference for math and more experience with elementary to beginning high school grades. As a tutor, I like to form a partnership with my tutee. I believe that it is important that we work together to overcome their academic challenges. Additionally, I like to create activities using the kinesthetic learning style because this approach allows for students to be interactive and hands on. Inasmuch, I want to engage my students' prior knowledge and build from what they know. Lastly, I provide opportunities for students to teach each other as well as teach me. This allows me to further evaluate their conceptual understanding of a given objective.
Outside of academia, I enjoy cooking, art, watching movies, music, and reading books. I am also a social person who loves to meet new people, travel the world, and explore.