Our Academic Coach, Howard, remarks on creating a culture of loving to learn through the HIT program at H.D. Woodson.
The High-Impact Tutoring program at H.D. Woodson Senior High School continues to offer many benefits for students. These include improved academic performance, increased confidence, better study habits, and greater engagement in learning during Spring Term 4.
This program provides consistent support tailored to each student’s needs, helping them overcome challenges beyond the classroom. When school administrators, teachers, staff, partners, and tutors collaborate, they create a positive, supportive learning environment. This collaboration fosters academic growth and emotional maturity for all students.
Intentional Learning
In a recent unit, the pre-calculus teacher emphasized the difference between passing a class and truly learning the material. Some students focus on passing, not understanding, yet learning still happens. The key difference lies in intentional learning.
Tutors and academic coaches help students focus on the “why” behind learning. This fosters intentional learning and deeper understanding. Students often carry the question of “why” in their minds. Tutoring helps answer that question and motivates them to own their learning.
By working closely with students, tutors build accountability and responsibility. Students gain tools to understand complex concepts at their own pace. They become self-directed, lifelong learners.
Tutors provide personalized attention, targeted support, and focused practice to improve retention and test preparation. Classroom collaboration helps students identify challenges and develop resilience to overcome them.
One-on-one support reduces stress and anxiety, helping students feel more confident. Teachers have reported that student work quality has steadily improved. Developing strong study habits, time management, and organization skills is essential. Students at H.D. Woodson are making steady progress in all these areas.
Loving to Learn
In Mindset: The New Psychology of Success, Dr. Carol S. Dweck explores whether success is about learning or proving intelligence. She quotes political theorist Benjamin Barber: “I don’t divide the world into the weak and the strong… I divide the world into the learners and non-learners.”
Why would someone become a non-learner? Everyone is born with a strong desire to learn. Think about infants—they practice difficult tasks like walking and talking every day. They don’t question if it’s too hard or worth the effort. They don’t worry about mistakes or embarrassment.
High-Impact Tutoring aims to meet students where they are in their learning. Tutors help spark or sustain that natural drive to grow. As students embrace learning, they embody the motto: “Learning to Love, Loving to Learn!”