STLCC-Meramec alumna returns to Meramec to tutor students
By: DALILA KAHVEDZIC
Staff Writer
Christine Salamone, 47, has been tutoring students for the past 3.5 years at STLCC-Meramec, including six subjects in sciences. This year alone she has tutored 105 students.
Salamone decided to become a tutor four years ago, after graduating from Meramec with a 4.0 honors GPA involving a human services degree specializing in hospice, and giving up her full four-year ride to UMSL because of her neuro-muscular disease.
“The way that I look at it is that I am doing a human service here,” Salamone said. “You know, I say this all the time. People tell me they don’t want to get up early in the morning or they can’t come in at 8 o’clock in the morning, and I say; you know what? I don’t want to get up either. You don’t know how much pain I’m in every day. I get up, I take 25 pills a day and I get up because my pain is so intense that I have to get up and I have to start moving.”
Salamone said she can try her best to motivate kids to come in, but there is only so much she can do until they decide to actually come in and get tutored.
“See me? Here I am. I do it every day and no, you don’t know how sick I am because I put on a good face but you have to dress for the day,” Salamone said. “If you come to school in pajamas, you’re not going to have a good mind set. And I believe that your mindset is so important to get you through every day.”
Salamone’s favorite part of tutoring is helping students learn that they can be all that they can be, and always have them believe that they can receive a higher grade if they try hard enough. Salamone helped Casey Ernst, Meramec student, believe she could do well in science. Ernst was never fond of science but has recently received a 100 percent on her test. Ernst said that she has gained so much motivation from Salamone and is provided with an easy and fun way to learn a subject that she was once appalled by.
Lauren Hance, Meramec student, had taken her first test in astronomy and when she did not do so well she realized she would try tutoring, and has been doing better ever since.
“Yep, she’s kind of amazing,” Salamone interrupts. “You know what? Make sure that you don’t just say I help, because what do I always tell you Lauren? You put in hard work too, and thank all the students that come up here as well and everyone is able to work together and help each other.”
The hardest part for Salamone about tutoring is her availability. She wishes she could be more available and flexible for students when they need her.
“I always think that electrical outlets would be nice up here, I provide myself with markers, they provide you with blue and black but I noticed that we become aware of change with colors and are more alert to that and the students like it more.” Salamone said.
If Salamone could change one thing about the way students look at tutoring, she said that students should look at tutoring as a tool.
“My wheelchair’s a tool, my cane’s a tool, my service dog is a tool, your pens and books are tools, learn how to use all your tools and use them wisely,” Salamone said. “Tutoring is offered, it is available, and if you don’t use it you’re gonna lose it.”
Salamone plans to tutor for as long as she can because she knows how helpful it is, considering she has went to tutoring when she attended classes as well.
“I admit now, I am crazy, but I’m crazy for you and to help you learn,” Salamone said about getting students to come to her.
Salamone believes in giving every person an equal chance, the same chance and believing in every student she meets.
