You Helped a Teacher and a Tutor Boost Math Engagement

From the 2025-26 School Year Impact Report

A dynamic duo brought superpower energy to Sonoma Valley Middle School this spring, and inspired students to engage with math on a whole new level.

Donors like you helped fund tutor Jenn Marioni, who worked alongside teacher Laura Hoban to support student learning.

Ms. Marioni worked with small groups of students several times per week—a method known as high-impact tutoring. She tutored her groups during their regular class times with Ms. Hoban.

From the start, the pair of educators collaborated closely, sharing daily notes and observations. They set their sights on students who needed extra help to catch up.

“A lot of students didn’t know how to start, how to even formulate a clarifying question,” said Ms. Hoban. “So we wanted to create a safe space for them to ask, and really build relationships.”

In Ms. Marioni’s groups, those students got close-up attention. They worked through challenges and when new concepts “clicked,” they celebrated. Students mastered material and did better on quizzes.

​As understanding grew, so did confidence. By the end of the semester, students who previously kept quiet were actively participating and speaking up—and the whole classroom benefited from the energy shift.

“Friends would ask students who are in my group, ‘Hey, will you come help us?’” said Ms. Marioni. “Those students would go teach their friends. They branched out and explained what they had learned. It’s been a really cool improvement.”

​Thank you for empowering Ms. Hoban and Ms. Marioni to inspire learning—and for giving students new tools for math mastery.

2025-2026 Impact:
High-Impact Tutoring

• ​90% of students said tutoring helped boost math confidence 
• 98% of students said tutoring improved math skills