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Math Tutoring For Kids Unlocks Potential, One Child at a Time

By Eric Steckel
March 10, 2025

Thanks to Your Support and His Tutor Lisa, Xander Turned Fidgeting Into Confidence

Think back to second grade. Do you remember a classmate who was always moving, always talking, always fidgeting? I do—because I was that kid. My teacher once told my parents, “Whenever there’s a disruption in class, Eric may not have started it, but he’s always there.” I was tagged as disruptive.

That’s why Xander’s story resonates with me. A bright and energetic third grader, Xander started the year 1 1/2 grade levels behind in math.

A Teaching Approach That Matches Zain’s Energy.

Sitting still is a challenge, but thanks to his dedicated Path2Math tutor, Lisa Haut, and a lot of hard (but fun) work, he is making incredible strides. In just a few months, he has already gained a full year’s progress.

Children like Xander are often labeled as “unfocused” or “difficult to teach.” But with the right support, they thrive. Lisa recognizes that learning isn’t one-size-fits-all. She taps into Xander’s energy by incorporating movement, hands-on activities, and encouragement tailored just for him. “The connection is unbelievably powerful,” Lisa shares. “I want them to feel good about themselves. That’s the foundation for learning.”

“When you work with second and third-graders, it’s amazing because they’re like sponges. They come in, and they enjoy this, and it makes us walk away feeling really happy.”

Lisa recalls a moment when Xander discovered the power of checking his own work. She showed him how to verify subtraction by adding the answer back to one of the original numbers. When he realized he could confirm his own answers, his enthusiasm was undeniable. “He gets really excited when he can check his own work,” Lisa says. “It gives him confidence, and that’s huge.”

While Xander is quick with numbers—multiplication comes naturally to him—word problems present a challenge. Translating a simple story into an equation doesn’t click as easily. But Lisa is working with him to bridge that gap, providing extra practice and new ways to engage with problems. Step by step, his confidence is growing.

For kids like Xander, a tutor isn’t just a teacher—she’s an advocate, a motivator, a guide. Your support of Path2Math ensures that more children can receive the one-on-one attention they need to reach their full potential.

Will you help unlock the potential of a child like Xander?

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* Children Rising respects the privacy of our students. While all the stories we share are genuine and true, we change names as needed to protect student privacy.