Talented ‘Talenthood’ tutors mentor students in Lynbrook

Editor’s note: Emma and Sophie Ward are rising juniors at Lynbrook High School who tutor students through the Talenthood app.

After being stuck inside for so long, it is more important than ever for children to brush up on skills and get active. A nationwide tutoring company, Talenthood, has just been expanded to Lynbrook and Hewlett, and provides a way for children to regain lost skills and improve in many areas, including academics, sports, music, technology and art.

Talented high school students from the Lynbrook and Hewlett community are available to tutor in a variety of subjects and activities. Talenthood also donates a portion of the money made from each lesson to various charities.

The recently created Talenthood branch in Lynbrook and Hewlett is run by Emma and Sophie Ward, rising juniors at Lynbrook High School. It all started two years ago in Scarsdale, N.Y. by Cooper Cohen, a rising senior. Since then, Talenthood has expanded to more than 20 towns in America, along with a couple of international branches.

Cooper explained that he has “always been a dedicated soccer player,” therefore, “throughout the years I had always had people ask me to tutor their kids and give them private lessons.” This inspired Talenthood.

“I realized that there was a high demand in my town for parents who wanted their children to improve, not just in soccer, but in all areas,” he said, “and there was an enormous amount of high school students, who were talented in various areas of expertise who were looking for ways to make money. It only made sense to put the two together and connect those who were looking for instruction, with those who were qualified and looking to instruct and teach others.”

Giving back to the community is at the heart of Talenthood; each branch donates a portion of its proceeds to three charities that are rooted in helping children: Fly a Kite, SCOPE (Summer Camp Opportunities Promote Education), and Unsung Heroes. A Lynbrook family started the Fly a Kite Foundation, and it raises money to fund DIPG research. DIPG is a brain tumor that is most commonly found in children. Additionally, it supports children who are fighting the disease by giving them emotional and medical guidance. Fly a Kite also provides children with custom art packets to bolster their spirits as they endure difficult times. SCOPE is an organization that raises money to send underprivileged children to sleep away camp. SCOPE gives children the gift of summer camp, which enables them to grow and learn valuable skills.  Unsung Heroes, a Lynbrook High School Student Government charity, raises scholarship money for two LHS seniors who are unsung heroes in the community. 

Signing a child up for a Talenthood lesson is easy and straightforward. Interested parties can download the Talenthood App and sign-up as a Lynbrook-Hewlett parent. After that, they should click on the area they would like to book a lesson in, and message a tutor. Lessons can be conducted in masks and socially distanced or via the virtual platform Zoom, if preferred. There is a list of guidelines and a waiver that is signed by both the tutor and the parent/guardian in order to keep the lessons as safe as possible. All payments will be made through Venmo app at (@Talenthood-LynbrookHewlett), and the money will go to both the tutor and to charity.

“I really like the tutoring services provided and the option to do it in person or virtually,” said Gerrie Hoffman, a Lynbrook parent. “It’s a great way for younger students to connect with older students in the community while being tutored. The technology instruction and babysitting options are also great.” 

Olivia Dublin, a rising senior at LHS, said she became a Talenthood tutor to, “Help out students in my town who need some extra help with school work.”

“Getting tutored by a student is very beneficial for the other student because we have gone through classes with the same curriculum,” she added.

Similarly, Gabriela Pesantez, a rising junior at Hewlett High School, explained that she became a Talenthood tutor to “help younger children in any specialty area that they may need and make learning as enjoyable and productive as possible. Being a part of Talenthood also allows me to help a good cause.”

She further explained her motivation for tutoring. “I think Talenthood is a great way for the community as a whole to learn more about a desired area of study or entertainment, while also connecting the younger children to high school students in their area,” she said. “Talenthood is a very helpful and productive way to learn and pass down knowledge to younger children in your community.”

Rachel Belmont, a rising junior at LHS, had similar thoughts. “I think Talenthood will benefit many people by giving parents and kids the help they need,” she said. “Talenthood provides help in school matters as well as extracurricular. Talenthood is a great way for kids to learn and interact with older kids.”

All of the tutors work diligently to provide children with helpful resources, ideas and skills. Madison Shvartsshteyn, a rising junior at Hewlett High School, said she hoped to accomplish her goals by tutoring. “If I help even just one child, that would satisfy me,” she said.

For more information, visit the Talenthood website (Talenthood.com), follow Lynbrook/Hewlett’s Talenthood Facebook page (Talenthood Lynbrook-Hewlett), and sign up for the Talenthood App.