Tutor (316) is an organization dedicated to enhancing children's literacy and mathematical development in partnership with local elementary schools. Tutor (316) proudly offers paid tutoring positions to Wichita State University students through Federal Work-Study funding.
We interviewed five college students who serve as content creators for the Tutor (316) program to learn how this role is shaping their future careers—one worksheet at a time.
Nyai Jackson: Storytelling for Young Minds
Nyai Jackson's work as a content creator involves creating story-led educational workbooks that help elementary schoolers grasp key concepts in a fun, age-appropriate way. Nyai is responsible for designing themed, engaging material that supports academic growth both in school and at home.
“This experience has helped me to become more decisive in my choices and be more open-minded to how people process written information,” Nyai says. Her favorite moment? Organizing a particularly complex workbook page—and making it both accessible and beautiful.
She’s also leveled up her creative toolkit, becoming more confident with digital tools like Canva and even dabbling in digital drawing. For Nyai, Tutor (316) has bridged creativity with curriculum in a way that enhances her academic and professional journey.
Kendah Ballout: Turning Passion into Purpose
As an artist in the Tutor (316) team, Kendah Ballout takes drawing requests from the rest of the team as well as working on her own projects. Her work directly supports the team’s mission while reinforcing her own path as an art education major.
Creating practice materials for students has required Kendah to research Kansas educational standards. This has given her a better grasp of how to communicate with students by knowing where they are at developmentally—a skill she will need as an art education major!
“I used to fear that making my hobby my career would make me hate art-making. However, I’m in studio art classes all day before working and I still have energy to draw for Tutor (316). I still make art after work, too! I really needed to experience an art job to know that I don’t ever get tired of making art.”
She’s also picked up vital problem-solving skills, especially in software like Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator. This confidence translates directly to her coursework, where she now navigates digital tools with ease.
Kelsey Hernandez: Growing Through Collaboration and Creativity
Kelsey Hernandez brings a bright, cheerful approach to the worksheets she designs in math, science, and reading. As a first-year animation student, the job gives her the opportunity to practice her art in ways that tie directly into her coursework.
"At the beginning of the year, I took on every job and challenge I could. This overwhelmed me and also made me question my abilities as an artist. As time has gone on, I’ve realized that my art is still developing, and that is okay! I now know when to say no, and continue to improve my art skills."
Ian Cook: Creative Problem Solver in Action
Ian Cook describes his Tutor (316) job as crafting “interwoven interactive narratives for adolescents designed to impart skills and abilities into their cranial supercomputers”—or, more simply, “cool worksheets for kids.” His designs blend storytelling and problem-solving to create truly engaging learning tools.
Ian credits his job as a content creator with giving him experience working collaboratively and using Adobe Photoshop. Two skills he needs for his future career in game design.
Ian learned another skill he wasn't anticipating needing—adaptability. When his laptop died unexpectedly, he scrambled to keep working using library computers and a loaner Chromebook that couldn’t even run Photoshop. “It was a chaotic time,” he recalls. It taught Ian resourcefulness and reminded him of the value of teamwork.” For Ian, these skills are directly transferable to his future in game design, where collaboration and adaptability are essential.
Carolyn Henderson: Math, Made with Heart
Carolyn Henderson focuses on math worksheets for K-9 students, drawing from her background as a Math Education major. Through her time with Tutor (316), she’s gained a deeper understanding of how students learn math at different levels—and how to teach it.
“I’ve learned quite a bit about how to structure worksheets, draw, and organize elements on a page, and I feel a lot more confident using Canva than I did before,” she says. Carolyn still remembers the joy of creating her first worksheet, and she’s energized by the opportunity to develop new content. She’s excited to carry this experience into her future classroom, where these creative skills will help her connect with students in meaningful ways.
A Creative Launchpad
Whether they’re illustrating, organizing, storytelling, or solving problems, the content creators for Tutor (316) are proving that educational materials can be anything but boring. For these five Wichita State students, the program isn’t just a job—it’s a launchpad for careers built on creativity, collaboration, and a passion for teaching.
Wichita State's applied learning program gives students hands-on, paid experience with industry partners, helping them build careers before graduation.
For more information, contact the Shocker Career Accelerator at (316) 978-3688, SCA@wichita.edu, or visit wichita.edu/Career. You can also stop by in person at the Marcus Welcome Center, Suite 139, on the Wichita State campus.