Drs. Jae Lee and Ju Youn Bae
For the Love of Math
by Tom Hanaway
Student News Intern
Drs. Jae Lee and Ju Youn Bae and their sons, Alex, left, and Eric. Photo/Shawn McAfee of UW Oshkosh Learning Technologies |
A husband-and-wife teaching duo is demystifying the world of mathematics for local students.
Jae Lee and Ju Youn Bae, lecturers from the UW Oshkosh Department of Mathematics, have dedicated their Saturday mornings to teaching math at their church, the Appleton Korean Presbyterian Church at 1100 London St. in Menasha, Wis.
Bae realized there was a need for such service when parents who were looking for a private tutor for their children approached her. “I thought, ‘What about other parents, the parents who can’t afford a private tutor?’” she said. “What about their kids?”
That is when Lee and Bae decided to provide free tutoring for local students of all ages. They started this tutoring service in February. The couple now helps students with their homework on Saturdays from 9-noon at their church. They help students from kindergarten to seniors in high school.
These students seeking their help come from a diverse background, Bae said. “Students who come to our tutor service are international,” she said. “Most of them are born in America, but their parents are from Ecuador, Mexico, Columbia, America and South Korea.”
Lee said he wants to inspire students to enjoy math, just like he did when he was younger. “In high school, I loved math,” Lee said. “I would study it by myself, on vacation. But not everyone likes math.”
Lee hopes that these tutoring sessions would help change some students’ perceptions about math. “Having fun with math and taking an exam is different,” he said, adding that students need only a helping hand to appreciate all aspects of mathematics.
Lee said that he encourages all students who are struggling with math, or just want to polish their mathematics skills, to join their tutoring session.
“Bring your textbook, bring your homework, bring your questions,” he said. “We will work through this together.”
Who: Dr. Jae Lee and Dr. Ju Youn Bae
What: Free Math Tutoring for K-12 students
Where: Appleton Korean Presbyterian Church at 1100 London St. in Menasha, Wis.
When: Saturdays from 9 to noon until Dec. 4. No tutoring service on Nov. 27.
The free tutoring service will resume in February 2011.