MAD Kids

Jeremy Ray's MAD Kids program is joining a list of tutoring operations for students in Odessa, but with a special focus on brain training for students ages 3 and up.

"We specialize in catering to individual needs, and it's not just tutoring, it is working on training the brain for memory and success," Ray said.

Ray said his MAD Kids program includes tutors from UTPB, Odessa College and Permian High School. Many of the tutors are majoring in education and want to be teachers, so the program is a perfect fit, Ray said. Students participating are excited to work with youngsters.

"I think it's important for everybody to learn a second language since it helps you grow social skills. I just hope people take part," Permian junior Marlin Ibarra said, who will tutor Spanish. Others hope to just stoke any interest in learning.

"I just want to help kids learn more, to open their minds and make learning fun," Permian junior Sandy Baiza said.

While other programs cater to homework help and tutoring in that way, MAD Kids will give attendees the ability to learn a subject like French or Spanish while learning to increase critical thinking and memory skills.

"If someone wanted to learn French, they could sign up for a French training, and we would get them a tutor," Ray said. The tutoring even goes beyond academics. Students may take part in dance or tumbling as well.

The brain training aspect includes memory games and riddles encouraging critical thinking skills and greater retention of concepts learned. Ray said memory games have worked wonders in his own family.

"With my 5-year-old, it has done wonders for his memory," Ray said. "If people just do this for 30 minutes, it would be a good thing."

Ray's business has had other aspects for some time, such as a family trivia program and speed-dating program for singles. But, the MAD Kids is something Ray said he decided to start to offer specialized tutoring in Odessa.

Students seeking homework help or other support have quite a few other options also.

ECISD's Family Education Center offers tutoring in all subjects from Monday through Thursday evenings from 5 to 7 p.m. Parental involvement specialist Barbara Villaloboz said 15 certified teachers are available to help - and traffic has been brisk.

"It's crazy; we are averaging 65 kids a night, and we are a small facility," Villaloboz said.

ECISD students from first to 12th grades may receive free tutoring at the center. The computer lab is available for homework or extended tutoring using kid-friendly educational sites.

Those needing tutoring may not need to go any further than their own school, however. Many campuses offer official or unofficial tutoring programs. At Crockett Junior High, principal Ysmael Lujan said the school offers both regular tutoring and mandatory TAKS tutoring for students needing help. Every subject is available.

"The parents and the kids have responded well," Lujan said. He said many teachers provide individual tutoring to those needing one-on-one attention.

Nimitz Junior High principal Stacy Jones said his school offers tutoring before and after school to accommodate students involved in after-school activities. Math is a major focus with the Nimitz tutoring.

"We actually pay teachers to tutor," Jones said. "If a student needs help, they can get it."

TO REGISTER

>> If you are interested in the MAD Kids brain-training program, contact Jeremy Ray at 866-620-2648 to register. If you have questions, contact him at 325-455-4990. The MAD office is located at 810 N. Dixie Blvd., Suite 106.

>> To register for the Family Education Center tutoring, call the office at 333-1004. Registration may be done from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Forms must be filled out. The center is located at 301 E. Clements.

MAD Kids

New tutoring, brain-training service joining existing tutoring options for ECISD students