AKRON, Ohio — While many students are away from the classroom, they are not able to get the academic support they are used to during the school year, now, two education students at the University of Akron have decided that they may be able to fix that.
Cheyenne Oechsle and Matthew Derksen have created a new Homework Hotline initiative that encourages and supports K-12 students who are struggling with their academic work during this time.
This free program offers the chance for students to talk face to face with an education major and get the help they need in math, science, social studies, and language arts.
“We wanted to create something that would help ease the burden that teachers, parents and students are facing in light of the COVID-19 pandemic,” explained Oechsle. “After talking with area youth, we noticed that both students (and their parents) are struggling to manage the academic workload and content. The goal is for this program to become an additional resource that youth can use to finish the school year strong.”
Both Oechsle and Derksen are majoring in adolescent to young adult (AYA) integrated social studies and history.
“Research shows time and again the benefit that one-on-one instruction has on student learning,” says Derksen. “We have an incredible network of UA students that want to serve their community during this difficult time. We believe the K-12 Homework Hotline offers youth an important tool to finish this school year strong and be prepared to succeed in the future.”
Akron students who are interested in participating in the tutoring can sign up for a 20 minute appointment here.
If you are a current University of Akron enrollee interested in helping out with the Homework Hotline, email cko2@zips.uakron.edu or mrd103@zips.uakron.edu.
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