In an attempt to increase their student outreach, the TimberTeach program has decided to rebrand themselves and create a new system in which the student teachers can go directly to the students in need of aid. This new roll out will be happening after spring break and tutors will be ready and available to meet the demands of those requesting aid using the new system.

“We are evolving to meet the needs of the students,” senior Miranda Van Doren said. “In the future we really hope that this program expands so that we can better add to the learning community at our school and help students in need.”

Using the Remind 101 that currently sends out DEN schedule reminders, sponsor Chris Young will be pushing out a link to a survey which allows students to request a tutor to come to them and provide help on whatever assignment or subject they’re struggling with.

Young will send out the remind daily at the beginning of DEN; students have the ability to request assistance immediately, or schedule a tutoring slot at a later date. Every request submitted will be inserted into a spreadsheet which tutors will monitor and strive to serve everyone on it. Student teachers will be stationed in the library, but will be able to leave and go to whatever class the student who has requested the help is in.

“The new changes will make it so the stressed kids can have help come to them and that is really beneficial because they may not be able to leave class,” senior Aubrey Minix said. “When we come to them they know we really do want to help, and forgetting to change their DEN does not get in the way of us helping. Even if the current changes do not work we need to try new routes until we find a system that is productive.”

Teachers will also be able to submit request forms asking for one or a group of tutors to assist them either in their class or during DEN. This can help alleviate the sometimes excessive tutoring requests put on individual teachers.

One eventual goal of the new program is for it to introduce the participation of honor societies. Many student leaders in TimberTeach hold officer positions in one or more of the honor societies around campus, and these students will lead the charge in providing to those groups the opportunity to take tutoring jobs which the TimberTeach members are unable to weather due to high demand or timing.

“I hope to incorporate the officers of various honor societies into TimberTeach to expand our sphere of influence as an organization,” senior Dean Torkelson said. “I want the word to get out to as many kids as possible that tutoring is available from us, and I think the large membership in many honor societies will help us to get the word out. I also think that honor societies are full of great kids that would serve well as student leaders and tutors in our program.”

Students looking to get involved with TimberTeach can contact Young by going to room AE102 or emailing him.

“Tell your friends about us,” Torkelson said. “If you or any of your friends is struggling in a subject, have them request help from TimberTeach. It’s what we’re here for.”