The MATCH Corps is our innovative, one-of-a-kind residential tutoring program that provides more than 300 hours of tutoring yearly to each student in our school. For more information, click here, or read an interview with a current MATCH Corps Tutor below.
|
Straight From the Corps |
 |
Brandee Tate
Princeton University '09
Sociology
Middle School MATCH Corps 2009-10 |
What is your background?
Coming from a military family, I have grown up all over but spent most of my childhood in central New Jersey. I attended Princeton University and graduated with a degree in Sociology this past June.
How did you first hear about the MATCH Corps?
I first heard about MATCH when I attended a non-profit career fair my school hosted during the fall of my senior year. Having studied the achievement gap from an academic standpoint throughout my four years, I knew I wanted to work in education in some capacity. I knew that I wanted to spend at least the next year after college working with directly with students.
What made you decide to join the MATCH Corps?
What drew me to the MATCH Corps over some of the other teaching opportunities I was looking into was "depth over breadth". I liked the idea of working with a small group of students in a tutorial everyday where I can really hone in on their academic progress. I was not sure how comfortable I would be teaching an entire class but having tutored middle school students in the past, I knew I would enjoy the personal relationship-building and personalized academic focus a tutorial would provide.
Can you describe your typical day?
A typical day for me at the middle school begins around 6:45am. I usually have morning bus duty at 7:00am so I try to get myself settled and gather my tutorial materials for the day before I go out for my duty. I am usually done around 7:30am with bus duty and I used the 30 minutes I have before my first tutorial to prepare. I tutor two students from one of the 6th grade homerooms during first period in math. This is followed by another math tutorial with two sixth graders from another 6th grade homeroom during second period. After second period, we have a sustained silent reading (SSR) period for twenty-five minutes where all the students are reading in their homerooms. I usually use this time to either prepare for the next tutorial or work on my secondary duties. Each tutor at MATCH has a secondary duty, usually as a Teaching Assistant (TA), an Athletic Assistant (AA), an Enrichment Assistant (EA), or an Operations Assistant (OA). I am one of two Operations Assistants. As an OA, I am in charge of the school library and the school store (a store where students can use MATCH points they have earned to "purchase" school supplies).
SSR is followed by third period where I have a student from another 6th grade homeroom in a one-on-one tutorial. During lunch time, I run the school store with a group of students that I have hired. The afternoon tutorials begins right after lunch at 12:30pm . This is usually a repeat of the morning with the same students but instead of a math, we work on literacy. I finish with my last tutorial at 4:10pm. At that time I have a few minutes to check in with my students and prep for the next day before I begin my evening duties at 4:30pm. From 4:30pm until 6:00pm I am either on detention duty or in homework club helping my struggling students.
While I am done with my duties at 6:00pm, I don't usually leave the school until around 6:30pm as I use that time to complete our daily surveys, check to see how my students did that day, and prepare for the next day. Depending on if I stop by the gym for a workout, I usually get home around 7:00pm or 7:30pm and call parents and students. After logging calls, working on my secondary duty, and prepare for the next day. I usually call it a day around 8:00pm or 8;30pm. I try to spend an hour or so every night doing something for myself. I wake up at 5:30am and start it all over again!
What is the hardest part of your day?
The hardest part of the day is the last period. By that time, we have had six tutorials nearly back to back and it can be hard to stay motivated and engaged through that last tutorial!
What do you find most rewarding about MATCH Corps?
The most rewarding aspect of being a Corps member is seeing growth in your students. They really become your children and you become so invested in their personal success. To see them grow academically and mature behaviorally is truly amazing.
Can you describe the atmosphere of the school?
There are really two atmospheres at the school. The first one I see is the organized chaos for the Corps room. There are 32 people trying to organize and prepare themselves in a small space. The second atmosphere is the one outside of the Corps room doors where things are much more organized and structured. Everyone at MATCH, from the students to the staff, looks like they are on a mission and in more ways than one, everyone is. Yet, despite the structured feel of the school, there is still a lot of warmth flooding our hallways. I always see staff members checking-in (and providing high-fives and back pats) to students who may be having a rough day.
What has been the biggest struggle you've faced this year?
The biggest struggle that I face is feeling frustrated. There are times when you feel that you have given everything you have and the results you were hoping to achieve are still not there. I have to remind myself that being at MATCH for a year means that I may not see the results of my work immediately.
How would you characterize the student body?
The middle school student body reflects the demographics of the high school in terms of race and socioeconomic status. The middle school students, however, are at an interesting stage in their lives. I am surprise by the amount of students we have who have a mature outlook on the world but we also have many students who enjoy watching their Saturday morning cartoons. There is a wide range of personalities. Furthermore, there's a huge difference between the 6th and 7th grade, which I find to be interesting. It's a fun age to work with.
What are your plans for next year?
I am still not sure what I will be doing after my Corps year but I am applying to graduate school in public policy with a focus on education policy. While I am not sure what I will be doing next year, I do know that I want to continue to work in education and working with students.
How has/does MATCH Corps prepare you for your future plans?
I have known for some time that I want to work in education policy but I knew that I wanted to have more experience working with students before pursuing that career path. Working at MATCH has provided me with that experience. Working directly with students has shown me that while a lot of policies sound good in theory, in practice it may not always be successful. Moreover, MATCH has reinforced my desire to work in education.
How does the MATCH School experience compare to your own middle school experience?
I went to a traditional public middle school in New Jersey. Therefore my middle school experience differs dramatically from that of MATCH. We didn't have uniforms or long days.
What surprised you most about the MATCH School?
I was surprised by the deep personal connections between students and staff at MATCH. Not only do we know every student by name, we also know about their personal lives, we know their siblings, and we attend their sports games. The wonderful relationships we have with students and their families make MATCH have a true family feel.
Help erase the achievement gap, one student at a time. Apply Now!
|
|
Past Interviews |
Brandee Tate Interview
|
|
