Tutor/mentor-youth pairs have participated in one-to-one conversations this year to learn more about one another. We’re pleased to introduce our first pair – Zarian (Z) and Matthew (M)!
Z: Hi, this is Zarian Cargill.
M: And I’m Matthew Walter. Ok Zarian, do you remember starting tutoring with me? What were your first impressions?
Z: Hmm. It was pretty fun. Because I was excited, I didn’t know what was going on but, I was like, maybe I get to play games! And my sister was here so if I didn’t know what was going on she’d help me.
M: Love it. Anything else? First impressions of your time with me?
Z: You were a very, very, very nice guy and you still are. Even if you were trying to say “no” to something you would say it very nicely.
M: Thanks for sharing that, Zarian.
Z: No problem. Do you remember starting tutoring with me? What were your first impressions?
M: I feel like I had a lot of first impressions of you. I noticed that you were very grateful and thankful. And you had a lot of joy and laughter, and you and I really clicked and connected. You’re very conversational, and we laugh a lot together. What more do you want, right?
Z: Yeah.
M: Pretty awesome. Ok next question. Zarian, what do you like about the time we spend together?
Z: I like when we work on math because usually in my class math is hard, but you make it easy.
M: What about it feels easy?
Z: Well like, you help me and make me feel good. Like if I get something wrong, you tell me to slow down and you say it nicely.
M: That’s good to know that that’s helpful for you. Thanks for sharing that.
Z: No problem! What do you like about the time we spend together?
M: I really like that we’re able to work on your homework, do activities from Brooke, read, or work on math. And we’re also able to talk about your life and about your friends and things that you like as well. That’s what I like the most.
Z: (whispers) Thank you.
M: (laughs) Alright Zarian. What have you learned about me during your time in tutoring?
Z: Oh I learned a lot of stuff about you! I learned that you are like the nicest person ever!
(M laughs)
Z: I learned your last name.. Literally just now!
M: (laughs) Yes.
Z: I learned that you’re one the best tutors ever! You should be on the news.
M: (laughs) Oh Zarian.
Z: Like WGN news!
M: WGN? Like specifically?
Z: Yeah.
M: Man, thank you Zarian! That’s so kind.
Z: What have you learned about me during this time?
M: Zarian, I’ve learned so much about your friends, Shaneke and Anders, your family, your mom, your sister, and your brother. And Hamilton. And I feel like I learned a lot about how appreciative you are about all of the things you are involved with in your life. You also like games, and learning about and creating stories. I love that. Perfect night to talk about this right? Because we just wrote a story! What have you learned about yourself during this time?
Z: I learned that I have the best tutor ever! I learned that I have the best manager of the best tutor, which is Brooke. (I don’t know if she’s manager…)
M: She’s the manager.
Z: Oh! I learned that I’m actually good at math when there’s someone nice around me. See, I have a whole family here, and I learned about Sandy [Matthew’s wife], and I learned about everybody! Oh my goodness, I love Family Matters.
M: Love it. That’s just so great. But I’m glad you learned about yourself that you like math and that you’re good at it. And we’ll continue getting better, right?
Z: Yeah. What have you learned about yourself during this time?
M: I think I learned that when I help you it also helps me. When I remind you to like, slow down with math, I also need that reminder for myself to slow down when like I’m reading. Or to slow down when I’m doing math. So this experience of helping you is also helping me. Which is pretty cool. What are the things you remember most about our times together?
Z: Ohh.
M: What things stand out to you?
Z: I remember, I remember when you beat me in Foosball!
M: Oh man. I didn’t mean to.
Z: It’s okay!
M: It happens.
Z: You’re the boss.
(Both laughs)
M: I’m the Foosball boss?
Z: Yeah, and I remember when we did the hot chocolate stand, there was this nice man walking around and after he got the hot chocolate he was like, “Why, thank you for this free hot chocolate!” And then he walked away. He was very nice.
M: That’s awesome. That was fun. Was that during the Christmas party?
Z: Yeah.
M: Nice.
Z: And I remember when I saved the day during the Christmas party with my phone by turning on some Christmas music.
M: You totally saved the day.
Z: What are some of the things you remember most about our time together?
M: I feel like we laugh a lot. I remember those times. I also remember dancing. I feel like randomly we just dance. So fun. Oh like right now.
(Z dances)
M: Uh oh, he’s dancing.
(both laughs)
M: Alright last question. If this were the last time we were gonna see each other, what would you wanna tell me?
Z: I would wanna tell you.. Oh my god you’re the best person ever!! I love you, you’re so nice!
(M laughs)
Z: I hope this friendship never ends. You’re like the best person. I love you, you’re awesome. Sandy’s awesome!
M: Zarian, you’re so sweet.
Z: You’re awesome.
M: That’s so kind. That’s like the nicest thing anyone has ever said to me. I don’t even know what to say. If I were to answer the same exact question for you, I would say, Zarian you’re an amazing person. And you’re gonna do amazing things and you’re awesome.
Z: Thank you.
M: And this isn’t the last time we’re gonna see each other so we don’t have to worry about that.
Z: Phew.
M: Cause we’re buds. Thanks for saying all that nice stuff Zarian.
Z: No problem.
M: We’ve always got nice things to say about each other.
Z: True.
M: Truth! Alright, so what do you wanna say to end it? Just say something classic Zarian.
Z: Uhm.. Uhm I’m a godson.
(both laugh)
M: You heard it here.