Center provides trained professional tutors to help ‘make the light go on’
Published on Page 3 of the August 21, 2013 issue of Morgan Hill Life
By Staff Report
Sarah Zare
School students sometimes need extra help outside the classroom to “make the light go on” inside their minds and understand a complex academic concept.
Located near downtown Morgan Hill, Extreme Learning Center helps students with their homework and other school assignments by providing trained professional tutors to help them better grasp information.
Sarah Zare, the center’s manager, has worked at Extreme Learning since 2006. She has spent her career in the field of education, taking roles including a preschool director, a high school teacher, and as the regional operations manager with The Phoenix Children’s Academy & Extreme Learning. Morgan Hill Life asked Zare about Extreme Learning’s philosophy of helping young people learn better.
Describe the Extreme Learning Center and its mission to help students.
In 2001, David Payne and Mary Smathers, both local educators with a desire to provide kindergarten through 12th-grade students with affordable, high-quality academic support and enrichment programs, established Extreme Learning Center.
Our program uses technology to ignite student’s passion for learning while boosting their academic achievement. We provide Morgan Hill families with a variety of academic and enrichment courses including traditional one-on-one tutoring, homework help, small group academic support, test preparation, transportation, enrichment classes, and camps.
What academic benefit do children gain from professional tutoring?
We understand each student comes to us with unique learning needs, schooling and family background. By identifying target areas we create a specific plan for the student to gain academic proficiency while providing an enriching environment for academic and personal growth.
How are your professional tutors selected and what are their qualifications?
Academic Coaches at Extreme are required to have a minimum of two years of college coursework completed, experience working with students, and a passion and understanding of the importance of education. Currently, 90 percent of our coaches have completed a bachelor’s degree program and are working towards further degrees such as in law and medicine. All of our potential coaches are paired with an experienced coach in a working interview so that their interactions with Extreme Learning students can be assessed.
Before being hired and working with students individually, our coaches are approved to work with children through CCLD (Community Care Licensing Division), Livescan (a fingerprint service) through the Department of Justice and FBI, and complete the Extreme Learning training program.
How can parents work with tutors to help their child’s academic performance?
Open communication and setting goals prior to starting any of our services is key to having a successful outcome. We encourage our parents and their student to meet with their coach-tutor prior to starting their academic service to foster an open and friendly relationship and set achievable goals.
What are some tips for students when they are working with a tutor?
First, come with an open mind. We know students that approach us for tutoring, typically are already frustrated with their academic progress. We will set goals together to achieve maximum results. Second, be prepared. What are you struggling with? Do you need help on a specific homework assignment? When you come prepared, we are able to focus your needs for that specific session. Third, ask questions. As cliché as it may sound, there is no stupid question. When a student asks questions, we can see where struggles are occurring in order to overcome them. Fourth, have fun. Education is fun, and your tutor wants to make your session something you want to come to each week. We teach techniques that not only help you remember what you are learning, but make your session fun too.
Extreme Learning was founded in 2002 by David Payne, a former school principal, to improve children and families’ experiences with the California education system. The first Extreme Learning Center opened that year in Morgan Hill. In July 2003, the company began offering an Academic Support Program and Exit Exam preparation to school districts. Extreme Learning currently serves more than 13,000 students per year in 1,000 schools across 98 districts throughout California with their onsite and online programs.
