My Experience at MECA by Ted Hadges

Hey fellow PTK members!

I would like to write a quick blurb discussing my experience at MECA.   If you are on the fence about heading over to the school, hopefully this will pacify your anxiety.

Getting There

My first time going to MECA, there was some confusion about meeting up with other PTK members beforehand.  I waited for a few minutes at the meeting point (the statue in front of the main building), and didn't see anyone, so I went on 

Google Maps and found my way there.  

Solution:  If you plan on walking over with someone, make sure you exchange phone numbers beforehand so that you can keep each other posted.  That said, it's very easy to walk to the school.  It's about a 15 minute walk.

Getting Set Up

Once you get there, tell the front desk that you are tutoring at MECA and that you are from BMCC.  Be sure to specify MECA because there are actually a few different schools in the building.  They will direct you to the main office, where the school principal, Matthew Tossman, will greet you.  He'll give you an answer sheet along with worksheets for the students to practice.  Algebra seems to be the subject of choice.  Simple stuff like 3x=6 (Solve forx).  

Getting Down to Business

There is not much to say other than this is the fun part.  The kids will be working on the assignment at different tables in the library.  You don't have to give a lecture or anything; it's simply a matter of walking around and answering any questions they may have.  If you don't know the answer, you can take a look at the answer sheet.  It has step-by-step work for each problem.  

That's it, folks.  I could elaborate and write about how fun and rewarding the experience has been, but I will save that for another article.

I go to MECA every Tuesday.  Feel free to reach out to me if you want to meet at BMCC and walk over together.

-Ted Hadges