SADDLE LAKE - A tutor located in the Saddle Lake area is offering her services to all students from Grade 1 to Grade 12 who are interested in a little extra help during a year of constant change.
Dakota Fraser became involved with offering her tutoring services when the Director of the Saddle Lake Boys and Girls Club contacted her. The club wanted to offer a free homework support program and looked to the community for help. Fraser has worked for the Boys and Girls Club in the past.
"I always loved being in school and I love to help others when I can, so it was a great opportunity to become involved more within the local community and especially to help the children and youth," says Fraser.
So, in December of 2020, Fraser began offering her time and help. After the Christmas holidays, interest in the program really started to pick up. Fraser says she started reaching out to local community groups and shared a poster to get the word around. She also contacted schools in Saddle Lake, Ashmont, Vilna, St. Paul and Goodfish Lake, letting them know she was available as a tutor.
Fraser uses Zoom or Google Meet to connect with students in a safe and accessible way during the current pandemic.
"Most kids nowadays know how to use those types of platforms better than I do," she says, adding, "We do offer tablets to be rented out if the students do not have a computer or tablet to use for the sessions. We also looked into if they have a Wi-Fi network available to conduct the sessions."
And while virtual tutoring sessions work for now, Fraser says she would like to offer in-person sessions when it is safe to do so.
"I know it can be hard to learn over the computer, but during these times it is best to be safe. I cannot wait until we can have in-person tutoring, as it opens up way more opportunities to engage with the children and youth that I am helping," says Fraser.
When asked why she decided to become involved in offering tutoring services, Fraser says that looking back to when she was in secondary school herself, she wishes there had been a similar service offered.
"I was at that age a few years ago, and I wish something like this was offered back then. I’ve always been interested in helping our community."
Fraser has been involved in helping out the community in a variety of ways in the past, and this service is an extension of that work.
"I love to be involved in my community and the homework support program was the perfect opportunity to help those in need. I remember a few years ago prior to COVID-19, when I used to go to the Saddle Lake Boys and Girls Club to go play sports and hangout with friends. It was so welcoming and fun and I try to make my tutoring sessions feel like that," says Fraser.
Through her tutoring, she is willing to help with all subjects from Grade 1 to Grade 12. She says she asks parents to send her the material or topics that children are needing help with so she can review it ahead of time.
"That helps me refresh my brain and helps give a better idea what they are working on, so I can help them understand it better."
Tutoring sessions are usually 60 to 90 minutes long, and can be held as often as needed. Sessions take place on Mondays and Tuesdays, and can be booked between 5:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. Some students only need help once, and simply require some extra help to wrap up an assignment or study for a specific test. Others seek help once or twice a week on a more regular basis.
Fraser says she loves getting feedback from students and parents once students have passed a test or notice their grades have gone up.
"We do set goals for the students to reach short-term and long-term," also, students receive awards once they reach those goals, explains Fraser.
"I have seen students’ grades go up since helping them and that is always the best news to hear," she says, adding, it's great to hear youth become excited about their homework and excel in school.
Fraser encourages people to reach out for help if needed, and she reminds parents and students that it's OK to ask for help.
"Everybody needs help from time to time."
With all the changes that have been happening over the past two school years due to the pandemic, it is a lot to take in and process for many youth and children.
"I would encourage the youth to reach out to all the opportunities they can to succeed with their education, like the homework support I am offering. Education is a huge role in our lives and I wish to help in any way that I can," says Fraser.
For more information about the one-on-one study sessions, contact Fraser at (780) 227-5072, or email [email protected]
