All Angles, Spearfish new article
By Sierra Ferguson Black Hills Pioneer
SPEARFISH — Now, through the end of the school year, free tutoring is available for students in grades 1-12 at the Episcopal Church of All Angels in Spearfish.
The program began when local teacher, youth minister, and self-described “church mom” Julainne Zoller noticed a need in the community for free, out-of-school student support.
“I was a kid that struggled, and was kind of embarrassed to ask during class time. Sometimes you just need extra help, or someone to explain it in a different way,” Zoller said. “We wanted to help out parents that don’t know what to do sometimes. If you’ve ever tried to help your own kids out with their homework, it’s a nightmare.”
That’s why the program aims to bring in the pros, and soon-to-be-pros.
Because she’s an educator herself, Zoller has a network of area teachers, who she has tapped into to recruit volunteer tutors. The church also partners with education students from Black Hills State University’s College of Education. There are about four core tutors.
However, Zoller makes every effort to tailor the program to meet the needs of Spearfish kids.
“I track down a tutor that matches a kid. If a parent reaches out that their child is struggling with math, I reach out and find the right, age appropriate math tutor,” Zoller said.
Zoller said, initially the program appealed mostly to high school students, who needed support tackling topics like chemistry and social studies.
Today, most of the students who come to the Parish Hall on Monday afternoons are in elementary school, and need help with reading and math.
Whatever a student’s need might be, Zoller said, everyone is welcome. She just asks that parents email ahead, so that she can match their child with the right tutor. After that, tutoring is available every Monday that school is in session, which excludes holidays and snow days.
Monday tutoring sessions run from 3:30-5 p.m., and are open to the whole community. The link to email the Episcopal Church of All Angels, to reach the tutoring program is: www.allangelsspearfish.org/contact.html.