GW Serves: Finding Purpose in the Classroom

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Before coming to the George Washington University, senior Mackenzie Campbell-Gill had only been to D.C. once-on a field trip in the sixth grade. Years later, when she returned to the city, she knew she wanted to make a difference. What that would look like, however, was unclear.

"I thought you had to have a big title to help people," said Campbell-Gill, an East Hartford, Connecticut, native. "I wanted to start small."

That instinct led her to Math Matters, a high-impact tutoring program run through the Honey W. Nashman Center for Civic Engagement and Public Service that connects GW students with D.C. public school students. Now, every Monday and Wednesday, she heads to Kimball Elementary School in Southeast D.C., where she works with students aged 9 to 11 on their math.

Campbell-Gill joined in the wake of the pandemic, which had disrupted learning of foundational skills like multiplication and division. She's found the impact of the lessons went far beyond memorizing times tables.

"I got to see how their minds change-how they felt better about themselves and they feel better about math," said Campbell-Gill.

In those classrooms, she found her footing-not by leading but by listening.

She found that building a relationship with the students and fostering a learning environment where they feel seen and heard is crucial.

"I've learned to step into other people's environments and not tell them what they need but listen to what they need and respond to that," Campbell-Gill said.

None of this felt imaginable before Campbell-Gill started with Math Matters. Originally planning to be a doctor, the psychology major and sociology minor never envisioned herself tutoring students.

"At first, I never thought of being like a teacher or working in schools," Campbell-Gill said. "It was, like, my biggest fear, like my worst nightmare."

But by stepping out of her comfort zone, Campbell-Gill has developed skills she never expected to have. She has learned to improvise, to work with others of various ages. She's even given speeches-something she admits she never would have done previously.

"I've learned to be quicker on my feet and how to be adaptable," Campbell-Gill said. "I've learned how to talk with people who aren't my age, how they learn and how they grow."

It's also influenced her choice of career. As she looks ahead, she plans to pursue a career in health care, considering either midwifery or counseling, where she can keep helping others in tangible ways.

When asked what advice she would give to others interested in serving through Math Matters, she said above all to listen to the students.

"Their voice matters too."