by Nan Austin, originally published in the Modesto Bee on 4/3/14
A nonprofit group started with university students now fans out dozens of volunteer tutors across elementary schools in Stanislaus and Merced counties. The Stanislaus Tutoring and Mentoring Program, or STAMP, relies on those committed to community to spread the learning.
“I feel like this is the best way to contribute to the community,” said Melanie Koochof during a break at Pitman High in Turlock. Koochof, a biology major at California State University, Stanislaus, plans to be a doctor. She volunteers every Tuesday at Pitman’s Bridge program, taught by Danny Frietas, helping sophomores who need to make up classes. “A lot of these students are very bright, very smart, and I have such faith in them. But they need confidence that they can do it,” Koochof said. Frietas said she particularly helps these students with math.
“They’re all capable,” Koochof said. “They missed out on basic things that prevent them from moving ahead.” To get them through, she provides “a tiny crash course” in the missing link. “I try to guide them, asking questions. So the next time, when I’m not there, they can think for themselves,” she said. “When I’m helping them with a problem, then on the next problem they get it – that’s satisfaction.”
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