February Pair of the Month

When Franklin Marsh first met Zion, Zion was a third grader. Today, Zion is a junior in high school. Over more than seven years tutoring together, their relationship has grown alongside Zion himself, shaped by consistency, trust, and the simple but profound act of showing up week after week.

Zion’s academic growth has been steady and meaningful, especially in reading and writing. Franklin has watched Zion not only strengthen his skills, but also find his voice.

“Each year, Zion’s become a more capable reader and writer. It’s been a joy seeing Zion have opinions on his world, and be able to express them in more and more detail over the years through his writing.”

But what truly defines this partnership is not a single skill or subject. It is the relationship that makes learning possible. Tutoring sessions have become a space where Zion feels safe exploring ideas, asking questions, and sharing what matters to him. His interests often guide their conversations, leading to thoughtful discussions about history, society, and morality.

Franklin describes how deeply engaged Zion becomes when learning feels relevant.

“Zion always really gets into history class. He readily draws connections between the history he’s learning about and society today.”

Some of the most meaningful moments in their relationship happened outside of traditional lessons. Franklin recalls waiting with students after an in-person tutoring session years ago, when a simple moment turned unforgettable.

“When I played ‘My Girl’ by the Temptations, Zion, followed by more of his friends, joined in on vocals. It was so funny and touching and is a cherished memory of mine to this day.”

For Franklin, tutoring Zion has reshaped his understanding of education itself. He has come to see learning not as something that starts with worksheets or standards, but as something that begins with connection.

“I’ve learned that the emotional needs of a child must be met before they can take in new information and perform their best.”

Franklin and Zion’s story is a powerful reminder that academic growth does not happen in isolation. It happens when a student feels seen, heard, and valued. It happens when a trusted adult listens, asks questions, and believes in a young person’s ideas.

We are honored to celebrate Franklin and Zion as our Pair of the Month. Their relationship reflects the heart of Tutoring Chicago’s work and the lasting impact of relationship first tutoring.