Written by Alexandra McClain
Although funding was recently cut for the Supplemental Instruction program at Harding, one student instructor has decided to continue SI study sessions without pay.
Senior Stephanie O’Brian chose to keep teaching SI sessions for American national government for free in order to help students.
“When I found out no courses would have SI this semester, my heart truly broke,” O’Brian said. “I cried and I am not a crier.”
Supplemental Instruction offers help for students in courses that have a high number of Ds, Fs and Withdrawals, mainly American national government, international relations and chemistry. SI sessions provide the opportunity for students in difficult classes to come together and master the material, as well as to develop the study skills necessary to succeed in each class.
O’Brian began teaching SI sessions in the fall of her sophomore year after taking American national government with Lori Klein.
On average nationally, students who attend sessions score half a letter grade higher than students who do not. For students in O’Brian’s sessions, there is an entire letter grade difference. The average attendance for students in SI sessions is 5-10 people while O’Brian’s sessions usually have around 20.
“My record is 69 students, some were sitting on the floor,” O’Brian said. “It was a good and hectic time.”
O’Brian has had to scale back the number of sessions per week from three to one.
“I believe the professors felt guilty for me doing that many sessions with no pay,” she said.
O’Brian said she has met many of her friends in the sessions she has led and feels a general sense of accomplishment when she helps students raise their grades.
“The decision to lead sessions without pay was easy, a true no brainer,” O’Brian said.
