Cameron Razdar and Tyler Dunn worked for years to get the Clarkston Help tutoring program up and running.
When the Clarkston High School seniors graduate later this school year, the last thing they want to see is it coming to an end.
“We opened up the executive board to the class of 2016 ? we’re training them to take over,” Razdar said. “We have 10 juniors so far.”
“That’s a great foundation for success,” Dunn said. “Our goal is to make it sustainable, for the juniors to carry it on past our graduation.”
Dunn and Razdar had the idea to start a tutoring program as a community service at the end of their freshmen year in 2012.
“We wanted to impact the community the way the community impacted us,” Dunn said.
“We’re succeeding in school, so we decided to see how we can help the community the way the community helped us in our lives,” Razdar said.
At first, they wanted to serve the whole district, but high school Principal Gary Kaul suggested starting smaller.
“He suggested narrowing it down to be more successful,” Dunn said.
So they decided to limit it at first to sixth and seventh grade students at Sashabaw Middle School.
“The middle school level’s perfect, old enough to have a foundation but not too old, with the added pressures of high school,” Razdar said.
Clarkston Help started last January, and they and about 20 high school International Baccalaureate students tutor an equal number of middle schoolers every Sunday afternoon. So far, they’ve tutored about 40 students in total.
“Except for holidays and breaks, we’ve been meeting every Sunday,” Razdar said. “We provide help to everyone who needs it.”
“It’s about a 1-to-1 ratio on all subjects, as well as things like public speaking,” Dunn said.
They’re already racking up success stories. One student improved his reading level from second to sixth grade.
“That’s pretty impactful,” Dunn said.
“It’s amazing how quickly he increased in reading level,” Razdar said. “We were able to work with him. He wants to succeed. It’s inspiring.”
With community support, including donations and grants from Clarkston Foundation, community groups, and local businesses, they looking to expand the program to more schools.
“It’s a community effort. We’re all working together,” Dunn said.
Clarkston teachers also come in every Sunday to supervise, mentor and help out.
“But it’s pretty much student run,” said Raymond Cooper, retired Clarkston teacher. “It’s phenomenal ? phenomenal young people.”
“It’s absolutely amazing,” said Sandy Savoie, Sashabaw Middle School teacher who recommends students for the program. “I think it’s fabulous. They give up their time to do this. It’s so important. They’re doing a great service.”
And it does more than help academically, she said.
“They’re a positive influence ? mentor relationships are very important,” she said. “They form relationships.”
Tutoring sessions are 12:30-2:30 p.m. at the middle school. Email Theclarkstonhelp@gmail.com, and check theclarkstonhelp.org for more information.