Alums Help Boston Students Overcome Disadvantages with Match Corps

Brown Daily Herald

It seems like an odd jump from the flexible anti-structure that gives Brown its laid-back reputation to a school where kindergartners are called "scholars" and get demerits for slumping. But for the six Brown alums who work as tutors at Match Corps: Boston, it's not a question of autonomy -- it's a question of equality.

Match Corps is a one-year fellowship program that brings top college graduates to tutor disadvantaged youth in the Boston area. At Match charter schools, tutors work with small groups, often one-on-one, and form close relationships with students and their families, according to the program's website.

"Match's mission is to help all students succeed in college and beyond by giving them the best education they can get," said Match Corps COO Michael Larsson.

The program directs its efforts toward helping kids in city schools in an effort to overcome the stereotype that students in urban areas are unable to achieve their full potentials. If students in urban public schools are less equipped for success, it is because they are "historically extremely underserved in the education system," said Reuben Henriques '12, a current member of Match Corps.

Matching potential

Henriques said he is a firm believer that providing all students with "equal access to structures of power" through skills like reading and critical thinking is crucial not only for the individuals but also for society as a whole.

"A democracy needs people who can advocate for themselves and function in a healthy debate -- not just rich, white students, but everyone," he said.

More about the Match Public Charter School, the Match Corps, and the Match Teacher Residency Program here.

Posted by Laurie Frost at March 22, 2013 3:30 PM
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