A Lifetime of Difference: Celebrating the 2024-25 Me & My Math Mentor Program
by Abigail Vensel—Program Manager
June is finally here, and with it comes that wonderful shift from the hustle of the school year to the promise of summer. For many, it’s a time for trips and camps, but for me, as the Project Manager for the Me & My Math Mentor (M4) program, June marks a season of reflection. It’s when I get to look back, gather all the threads of our work, and truly see the incredible impact we’ve made together.
This reflection isn’t just about crunching numbers on academic growth, though that’s certainly a part of it! It’s also about delving into the stories, the smiles, and the breakthroughs I see reflected in our student and mentor surveys. And let me tell you, it fills me with immense pride to announce that the 2024-2025 Math Mentors school year was phenomenal. It was another year of fantastic growth, deep engagement, and countless moments of connection!
For those who are unfamiliar, M4 is all about creating a joyful, low-pressure space where students can explore math through engaging board games with their peers. Our goal is simple yet powerful: to build math fluency and confidence while sparking an interest in STEM fields. We do this by connecting students with professionals working in STEM careers and community volunteers, who serve as mentors in a small 4:1 student-to-mentor ratio. It’s truly magical to watch these relationships blossom.
While M4 has a proven track record of boosting academic performance, the impact goes far beyond just math skills. We’re seeing students build self-esteem, learn to persevere through challenges, and truly believe in their own capabilities. When we surveyed our M4 students at the end of the 2024-25 school year, an amazing 81% told us that M4 helped them feel they can get better at math if they try hard and practice. And talk about embracing challenges – 82% were willing to tackle hard math problems, with 52% actually welcoming the challenge (a fantastic jump from 36% at the start of the year!).
Beyond the numbers, it’s the personal connections that truly shine. The impact of our mentors and the relationships they build with students cannot be overstated. Each mentor steps into the role of becoming a positive role model, inspiring students to push through tough problems and opening their eyes to the real-world applications of math. Our STEM professional mentors, in particular, give students a firsthand glimpse into how math fuels exciting careers, showing them tangible futures. By making math fun and engaging, our mentors are reshaping how students view math, making them feel capable and confident in their abilities. In fact, at the end of the school year, 59% of M4 students indicated a high interest in a STEM career, a 15% increase from the beginning of the year. And perhaps even more wonderfully, 75% of M4 students told us they feel math is fun, even if it can be hard sometimes—a 16% increase from the start of the year!
The students themselves say it best: “My mentor helped me to learn about math. They made me feel like I can do anything.” “I think of my mentors as friends.”
What’s also incredibly rewarding is that this positive impact isn’t just a one-way street; our mentors are impacted too! Many have shared that being part of M4 has brought a deep sense of fulfillment and enriched their commitment to STEM. Connecting with their students, witnessing their joy and skill development, and reinforcing that each child is STEM-capable – these are often the highlights of their week. It’s no surprise that 95% of mentors feel they have made a significant impact on students’ growth.
The heart and lifeblood of the Me & My Math Mentor program truly lies in its name: it’s the mentors! I cannot express my gratitude enough to each and every one of them. The 2024-2025 year was our largest yet, serving over 225 students at 13 school sites across Tulsa, all thanks to the dedication of 80 wonderful mentors. All the incredible growth and positive change we’ve outlined here is a testament to the hard work and unwavering commitment of all our mentors, school facilitators, and STEM collaborators. To everyone involved in M4, we thank you for every moment of your time and effort!