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‘Super Tutor’ student finds joy in helping others.
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Posted by lward Wed Nov 30, -0001 00:00:00 PST
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0 responses 0 comments Ever solved a statistics equation, saved someone’s day and hit the slopes at the same time?
Beth Nodolf has.
The 17-year-old Liberty High School senior was on “vacation” a couple of weeks ago when she got an urgent call on her cell from a student needing help with a math problem.
True to form, she stayed on the line until the caller was rescued from the abyss of incomprehension.
“When I got back to school, all I heard was, ‘Never leave again,’” Nodolf said.
Nodolf volunteers to tutor fellow students in the career center after school from 3:20 to 4 p.m., four days a week.
Except for the teacher or counselor supervising, Beth is most often the only individual on duty and in charge of answering the questions of the 10 to 15 students who come in, often in groups, for help with homework — usually math.
Sometimes it’s a challenge, said Beth, whose strengths are actually in French and English.
“It can take me a second with my weaker subjects,” said Beth, who, nevertheless, admitted it’s rare for her to have to consult a second party for help.
Beth started tutoring two days a week during her junior year as part of Link Crew, a volunteer club on campus.
Once she saw the need was there, she started coming in more and more, and two days turned to four. Some faces are new, while others she sees every day.
“I’ve developed strong relationships through tutoring,” said Beth, adding that after tough days, she does sometimes ask herself the obvious question — “Why?”
“I like helping people,” Beth said. “If I didn’t come, I’d think about the students not having help, and I’d feel guilty.”
“Plus, I get satisfaction out of it. It’s my good deed for the day. Then I can be bad for the rest of the day,” said Beth, laughing.
Beth, the former school mascot, schedules her other extra-curricular activities — like journalism — around tutoring. While tutoring has prevented her from finding an after-school job, Beth’s commitment has not gone unnoticed by the administration.
“There aren’t very many students who’ve tutored for two years and missed very few days like Beth,” said counselor Gloria Mundorf. “The fact that she is willing to give her time for very little in return says a lot about her character.”
Beth said that while her grades are average, the glowing letters of recommendation she received because of tutoring earned her a scholarship to Mount St. Mary’s.
Beth’s ultimate goal is to be a social worker.
Although she’ll graduate in the fall, the lessons she’s learned from tutoring will remain with her.
“It’s so important that we help each other, and to be someone other people can look to as consistent and reliable,” she said.   

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