~ The Advocate Asks ~

Lukeman Nouri, 17, talks about the Tutoring Circle he created for kids of all grades at the Saugus Public Library

  Editor’s Note: For this week’s column, we sat down with Lukeman Nouri, a senior at Pioneer Charter School of Science II, in Saugus, who said he was inspired by his own need for tutoring several years ago to create and organize the Tutoring Circle at the Saugus Public Library. Lukeman organized a small group of fellow students at PCSS II who provide tutoring in most subjects for grades K-12 on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at the Saugus Public Library. There is no charge and students from all schools are welcome. Registration is not required. But students need to go onto the library website and click on the QR code to reserve a space and/or specify which subjects they would like to receive tutoring for.

  Lukeman has been living in Saugus for about nine years. His family came from Algeria. He was born in Boston and grew up in Revere before moving to Saugus. He is the youngest of four siblings in a family of six. His dad, Farid, manages a Boston restaurant. His mom, Leila, is a teacher in Cambridge Public Schools. She has influenced all of her children to make the most of their educational opportunities. Meriam, 24, is a graduate student at Northeastern University, working on an MBA. Zakaria, 22, is a junior at Suffolk University, studying business. Adam, 18, is a computer science major at UMass Boston.

  Highlights of this week’s interview follow.

  Q: Please share some background information about the program. How did it start? When did it start?

A: The tutoring program started in 2023, inspired by my own experience as a student who needed help with math. Realizing how much tutoring improved my learning, I wanted to create the same opportunity for others in my community. That led to the formation of the Tutoring Circle at the library.

The program is open to students from 1st to 12th grade, with a focus on meeting students where they are and providing the best possible support. The tutors are students from Pioneer Charter School of Science II who volunteer their time to help younger students.

Q: To put things into context, when did you first think about setting up the program? What happened before 2023 that led up to the creation of the Tutoring Circle?

A: It was because of COVID and online learning. For me, it was a little challenging at first. It was between my freshman and sophomore years. I got some help from my 8th grade teacher, Mrs. Siddhi Shukla.

Q: How did she help you?

A: I always liked math and did well in it. The math class I took with her was advanced online. It was a hiccup because it was online. She helped me with the transition, and I got through it. She motivated me to take more math classes. She was a mentor as well. In the 9th grade, I tutored her students at the school. I did that for two years and I enjoyed the experience. There were about 30 kids in the class and four to six kids would come for tutoring.

Q: Then what? You had to get permission from the library to set it up. Please tell me how you did.

A: In my junior year, I met with Alan Thibeault, the library director. I told him I wanted to begin a tutoring program. I emailed Alan and explained to him the idea. He really liked the idea and began talking about the logistics.

It started off as tutoring for math last year. This year we opened it up for all subjects. Last year we tutored all kids in math at all grade levels. We got mostly middle school and elementary school students. Last year we had three tutors. This year, we’ve had six to seven. Last year, we tutored on Monday and Wednesday afternoons. This year, we do Monday, Wednesday and Friday afternoons.

Q: How many students do you get during a tutoring session this year?

A: On Wednesdays, we can get 10 to 12 kids. We have enough tutors right now to do 10 to 20 kids. The most we ever got was 15. If we get more kids, I would want to get them registered. And we may need more tutors.

Q: How many hours a week do you devote to this project?

A: Five actual tutoring hours for me; collectively, it’s about 10 hours a week, and that includes contacting tutors and making sure they are available.

Q: What’s your biggest challenge?

A: Embracing the knowledge that every kid learns differently. It’s a test of patience.

It’s insightful for our tutors and me. I learn how to work with people and communicate in general. It works out to be fruitful in the end.

Q: What’s the biggest reward for you?

A: It’s kind of like returning the favor. It’s not only helping people, but seeing the look on their faces after they realize that it’s not as challenging as they perceived the difficulty of their schoolwork to be, and that they are capable of doing the work and what they want to accomplish.

Q: Where are these students from who seek tutoring help?

A: About 80 percent are from Saugus Public Schools. A few come from the Pioneer Charter School of Science II as well as from Lynn and other schools in the area.

Q: What’s the best feedback you get from the kids who receive the tutoring?

A: We don’t get a lot of verbal feedback, but the kids do express their appreciation. It’s just different from the way older people do: It comes across in the way they relate to me. They wave to me when they come in. They might show their test results or come back with a graded essay from the day before.

Q: What are some of the trends you are seeing as you proceed with your second year of the program?

A: One trend we’ve noticed is that students who attend typically keep coming back, even when they have little homework. They find the Tutoring Circle to be a source of both motivational and technical support, which helps them stay engaged and confident in their learning.

Q: When does the tutoring end for you? What’s your last day of tutoring?

A: I finish off in late May [at School], but the goal is to close the program this year in early to mid-May.

Q: What happens to the program after you leave?

A: I’ve spoken to a few of my tutors, and they want to extend the program to next year. I’m hoping that my legacy is to ensure the program continues into the future. I don’t want it to end with me. And I’m hoping it continues at the library.

Q: It seems to be a program worth continuing.

A: Yes. Tutoring can be very expensive: one hundred dollars or more. That’s really not fair. Every student can’t afford it.

That’s why the library is the perfect location. It logistically made the most sense. The library is publicly funded. A lot of parents drop off their children here. It’s most convenient for the family as well.

Q: Being a college-bound, excellent student, what do you do for fun, outside of class and this tutoring program?

A: I lead the Robotics Club at my school and help run the school newspaper and social media. I’m also a member of my school’s NHS chapter and run for the varsity cross country team. I’ve done cross country for four years and have been captain of my team for two years. I like a lot of outdoor-based activities. I like to rollerblade and ski [in the winter]. I like to play games like the average teenager. Roblox is my favorite.

  Q: Do you work?

A: I have a part-time job in Saugus on weekends, 16 hours a week, working at the desk at Target. I run our school’s TikTok page.

Q: What do you want to do with your life after college? What’s your career ambition?

A: I plan to pursue engineering in college, though I’m still exploring which field interests me most. I want to go into the engineering field, probably as a mechanical engineer.

Q: I heard you got accepted at MIT?

A: Yes. I haven’t settled yet. It’s an option that I’m considering. I’m waiting to hear from other schools.

Q: How many colleges did you apply to?

A: I applied to 13. I will probably compare two or three schools to the MIT offer and make my decision.