Luverne Elementary fourth- and fifth-graders will get some extra help this fall understanding whole numbers, rounding to the nearest tenth and other general math concepts.
Math Corps tutor Jessica Quissell, Jasper, works with 24 select students in groups of two for 90 minutes a week on various math interventions with one purpose in mind.
“I want to make math fun,” she said.
The district hired Quissell when Luverne Elementary School was selected to host a math tutor through the Minnesota Math Corps program.
Luverne is one of 200 schools accepted into the math corps program. Only two other schools in southwest Minnesota — Slayton and Jackson — have such tutors dedicated to helping students understand basic math principles.
According to Alison Jirik, Math Corps program director in Minneapolis, the goal of Math Corps is to ensure the state’s students are algebra-ready by eighth grade.
“Math has a lot of skills that build on each other,” Jirik explained. “Algebra is a gateway course — it opens the door to higher level math and science courses.”
She said students who perceive they are poor performers in math don’t often seek these higher-level courses when they reach high school.
“A lot of careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics are high-paying jobs,” she said.
Math Corps wants to change students’ perceptions that they can’t do well in math.
“Everyone can learn,” Jirik said.
As a full-time tutor, Quissell receives a living allowance along with an education award through the Math Corps program. After attending Math Corps training through ServeMinnesota, she works closely with Luverne Elementary personnel.
A graduate of the University Center in Sioux Falls, Quissell earned a business management degree six years ago.
Her first job was with the AmeriCorps program, a sister organization to Math Corps.
Originally Quissell said she considered becoming a math tutor but an acquaintance encouraged her to try AmeriCorps.
AmeriCorps is often referred to as the domestic Peace Corps and allows participants to experience various jobs within non-profit organizations.
“I hoped it would lead me to where I was the most interested,” she said.
Quissell’s interest brought her back to Math Corps.
“Since I didn’t do it the first time, in the back of my mind I wanted to go back to education with more hands-on work,” she said.
Math Corps is allowing Quissell to experience teaching, which may lead her back to school for a master’s degree.
“It’s been fun just getting to know them (the students),” she said.
Quissell joins her mother in the Luverne School District. Ronda Quissell is a paraprofessional at Luverne Middle School.