Community Voices
Schoolhouse Stories
Schoolhouse.world is a non-profit whose mission is to connect the world through learning. Hear from our community about what Schoolhouse means to them!
Inspired by our internet neighbor, Khan AcademyFrom Local Mentorship to Global Tutoring 🌍
Jan 9, 2026The world of "scaffolding" and internalization is where I feel most comfortable, but it is underpinned by another system that truly fascinates me: strategic foresight and the deep assessment of vulnerabilities. This defensive management mindset, based on careful deliberation, informs all aspects of my life, particularly my commitment to management and mentorship. As a Junior Mentor at the iQanat Foundation, my primary goal went beyond simple tutoring. I aimed to safeguard students who often succumb to the psychological trap of "learned helplessness." I initiated weekly workshops where we delved not only into academic knowledge but also into educational strategy and overcoming mental barriers. I recall Ms. Sabina, a student who consistently procrastinated and fell three months behind in her coursework. Her specific issue began in the 10th grade when she stopped grasping mathematics lessons, continually postponing the material until the weekends for review. This cycle of delay, compounded by misunderstanding, led to her missing many critical topics. Her attempts to use YouTube lessons or seek extra help from schoolteachers were fruitless; she simply couldn't internalize the content. Ms. Sabina, an exceptional rural student from the iQanat Educational Foundation, contacted me right away when I opened enrollment for my mentorship group. When she explained her situation, we quickly identified the root cause: overloaded. She had overloaded herself with numerous free extracurricular courses and strenuous sports training, leaving her with insufficient time and mental energy for academic recovery. My intervention was strategic and holistic. We systematically eliminated several nonessential courses and negotiated with her school volleyball coaches to temporarily adjust her training schedule, freeing up crucial academic hours. This shift in focus yielded immediate results. Within a single week, she made significant progress, successfully grasping trigonometry and geometry concepts. Crucially, she developed a strict, personalized time management schedule. This approach not only improved her academic performance but also her sleep health, which is an important component of cognitive function. She noted feeling rested for the first time in months. This volunteer work proved that I could help a rural student address systemic personal barriers. I see the vast, untapped potential in my mentees; they yearn for international education but often lack the self belief to pursue it. Looking at these "loose bolts," I'm motivated to help tighten them and demonstrate their true potential. This mentorship confirms my aptitude for applying critical thinking and leadership to empower the youth of rural Kazakhstan. This realization—that I can translate abstract strategic thinking into tangible, human impact—is extremely rewarding, and the process is so engaging and educational that time seems to fly by without notice. Discovering Schoolhouse.world allowed me to extend this mentorship mindset beyond my local community. What once felt limited to supporting rural students in Kazakhstan has now become a global opportunity to connect through learning. Schoolhouse showed me that the same strategic thinking, empathy, and structured guidance can help students worldwide—not just academically, but psychologically. Being part of a global learning community reinforced my belief that education is most powerful when it crosses borders, and it gave me the confidence to contribute beyond geography.
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Beksultan K
Schoolhouse Experience as a Tutor
Dec 2, 2025Hi, my name is John David and I'm 24 years old. I found out about this website in July when I heard about the College Admissions Workshop. When I saw it, I was interested in tutoring one because I also went to Mitchell College in Connecticut, so it seemed like a great idea to help assist high school students unfamiliar with college applications. And so far, I have tutored the College Admissions Workshop twice, once in August and once in November. Although I have to admit the one in November was canceled because nobody showed up to the 1st session on time. Sometimes, I also do tutoring through the 1-on-1 method (or those who want help with college essays, history, and social studies related homework individually). But overall, I would recommend this website to anybody who has a passion for tutoring or needs help.with something!
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John David D
Turning Screens into Laboratories
Dec 20, 2025What started as a tutoring session soon transformed into a shared scientific exploration. During my second session on Schoolhouse, I taught concepts from Wave Optics and Geometrical Optics, but instead of limiting the discussion to theory, I brought experiments to life using a lab experiment app on my computer. This allowed learners to see what formulas often struggle to explain—how waves interfere, how images form, and how light behaves in real time. I had prepared a detailed PDF beforehand, carefully structured to guide understanding step by step. The PDF became our roadmap, while the lab experiment app became our laboratory. As I adjusted parameters on the screen—changing distances, angles, or wavelengths—learners actively predicted outcomes, asked questions, and refined their understanding together. What stood out most was the level of engagement. The session was not one-sided; it was interactive and collaborative. Learners explained ideas to one another, clarified doubts collectively, and built confidence as the concepts unfolded visually. I found myself fully present—not just teaching, but facilitating meaningful discussion. Using technology to simulate experiments helped bridge the gap between abstract equations and physical intuition. More importantly, it helped create an inclusive space where curiosity thrived. In that moment, Schoolhouse felt less like an online platform and more like a real classroom—one driven by curiosity, empathy, and shared learning. By the end of the session, I realized that teaching is not about how much you know, but how effectively you help others see. This experience reaffirmed my passion for physics and reminded me why I value education as a tool for empowerment. Through Schoolhouse, I didn’t just tutor—I grew as a communicator, a leader, and a learner.
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Narayani B
I love schoolhouse
Nov 24, 2025schoolhouse has been great. I joined because I needed to be tutored in math but since iv joined I have been tutored and gone to events. I never expected to meet such a cool program!
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Ava c
Learn things easier
Dec 11, 2025I love to use Schoolhouse, it is great to join a session and to figure out problems, I met so many tutors that explain clearly and I can understand deeper, which is better than my school, I would genuinely recommend this learning resources to everyone who wants to learning!
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Ella H
Learning as a Tutor
Nov 20, 2025I joined Schoolhouse because of my passion for sharing resources that I have. However, it taught me an attitude that helped me learning, not only in the schoolhouse but also in any interactions with people. Through various discussion series and dialogues, I found out how to actively listen and learn from each other rather than just communicating. Sometimes we disagreed, but our civil disagreement taught us different perspectives rather than conflicts. I wish to continue this experience and hope others can have this as well!
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Lillian K
What Learners Have To Say About Sessions
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