Lake Forest Sophomore Helps Deer Path Students Find Their 'Ah-Ha' Moment

As a student, Bryan Africk likely remembers his own “Ah-ha” moments when a math problem finally made sense.

But the sophomore has found that being on the other side of the desk as a math tutor has made those same moments from his students take on a whole new meaning.

“The hands-down best part for me is when I’m working with a kid on something, a tough problem they just do not understand; and they just have what I call the ‘Ah-ha’ moment,” said Africk. “They just go ‘oh, I get it now’ and it just clicks for them.”

That is just one of the success stories coming from the Math Resource Center at , a drop-in tutoring program conceived by the 15-year-old honors math student.

Using a Proven Approach

Africk’s inspiration for the program was Lake Forest High School's own Math Resource Center, which he said “is among the most valuable support systems available to our math students. It is a friendly environment staffed with math teachers ready to help students and answer any questions that may come up in homework and studying.”

The former Deer Path honors math student wondered why his alma mater didn’t have “a place where kids, especially gifted kids, could come often or just once to ask one question or many; a place where students can do homework or study for a test while getting a little help or a lot, a place where students can do both the teaching and the learning.”

“All kids can use a place to ask a question flexibly," Africk added. 

Getting the Wheels in Motion

Last spring, Africk approached Lake Forest High School services/community coordinator Kathy O’Hara about service opportunities. She liked his vision for a tutoring program for Deer Path and offered to sponsor it. He then met with Laura Paull, last year’s gifted coordinator. Paull helped Africk begin a pilot program specifically for gifted students that ran for the rest of the spring semester.

Over the fall, Africk received the blessing of Paull, who teaches fifth grade at Deer Path, and Colleen Brueggeman, the new gifted services director, to start up the program again.

The Math Resource Center officially launched in late September as a partnership between Lake Forest High School and . According to Paull, who supervises the program, it’s still open to seventh- through eighth-grade Quest-level students, but it has expanded to include all math levels for fifth- through sixth-graders.

Program Comes at No Cost

The center averages 20 students a week and is staffed by Africk and eight Lake Forest freshmen and sophomore honors math tutors he recruited. The tutors meet monthly to coordinate upcoming staffing concerns. They also keep each other informed about the students’ progress via Facebook.

Students do not have to be struggling in math to participate. They may be students who are just looking for extra support in understanding math concepts, studying for math tests, or completing math homework.

The students work in groups determined by grade level and classes. They can attend any or all of the Tuesday-through-Thursday sessions on an as-needed basis, and they are not required to stay the entire time.

By all accounts the flexible, no-cost program has been a resounding success.

"I’m just thrilled with the results,” Paull said.

The same accolades have come from parents.

“It’s been nothing but positive; they are so thrilled with the opportunity that’s been offered,” said Paull, referring to the many emails she has received from parents praising the program. 

She is quick to credit Africk for the program's success.

“I’m just here basically for support,” said Paull, who attends every session. “This is Bryan’s project."

Taking the Stress out of Math

Africk communicates daily via email with parents and teachers about what the students worked on that day and what they want him to focus on the next time. He also maintains close communication with Brueggeman, who has been instrumental in getting the word out to parents about the center. He also updates O’Hara on a regular basis and brainstorms with her about ideas to strengthen the program.

One reason for the program’s appeal is the casual, relaxed atmosphere created by Africk. Whereas the classroom can be an intimidating place for some students to ask questions, the Math Resource Center is more like an intimate home study group. The students seem as genuinely comfortable asking Africk questions as they would be asking their own family members.

“They’re not afraid to take risks,” Paull said of the students. “High school students know how to talk differently to them. In a large class, they are afraid of standing out.”

Students are not only getting the help they need, they are having fun doing it. Paull recalled one boy commenting, “This is so cool, to look around and actually see kids enjoying math.”

Making that Connection

The tutors reinforce concepts taught in the classroom with a fresh viewpoint while relating to students on their level.

 “I think it’s really cool how the kids connect with us,” said Africk. “With a teacher it’s a different perspective.

This particular day, Africk is the only tutor due to what he calls “the perfect storm.” Though each session is normally staffed by two or three tutors, as luck would have it two tutors had to cancel.

No problem. Africk greets each student with a hearty hello, talking to them about what they need to work on. He moves deftly among the six students assembled, explaining concepts, asking questions and offering praise for their efforts. His laid-back, approachable style clearly puts the students at ease.

When a new student stops by midway through the session, Africk loses no time making introductions and finding out what the student needs to work on. That individualized attention coupled with the tutor’s youth and enthusiasm keeps students engaged and interested.

When asked about how the tutors have helped them, the students barely can contain their excitement and eagerly share their views in rapid-fire succession.

“It’s just you and him and not the whole class; it’s better when you get personal attention,” said one boy.

“They (the tutors) know what we are going through because they were here not too long ago themselves,” noted another male student.

 “It’s much easier to talk to them,” a girl added.

The tutors gain more than just community service hours toward graduation for their efforts. Bobby Mannis, a 16-year-old sophomore tutor in the program, said he derives “a real sense of accomplishment helping the kids out." 

Program Will Continue

Fortunately for everyone involved, Africk plans to continue coordinating the program until he attends college — he’s thinking Stanford — where he’ll major in business. He said this experience “has really helped me to prepare for that plan.”

In addition to the Math Resource Center, Africk also serves as a Student Council Cabinet member; as research head of the debate team; and as the director of finance for a group called Scout Stories, which is part of the Telecom New-Media Department at the high school.

The Math Resource Center meets from 3:35 to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday. The drop-in program is free to Deer Path students; however, a parent or teacher recommendation is required.

For more information, contact Paull at 1-847-604-7468 or email her at lpaull@lfschools.net.