Wayzata’s Star Tutor: Stella Tanaka Makes Math Click
For some students, math can sometimes seem like a foreign language.
And then there are those who just “get it.”
Wayzata High School student Stella Tanaka fits into the latter category.
Tanaka has spent the last two years serving as an academic mentor at Wayzata High School, tutoring other students with their math assignments.
“The first time I ever meet them, I try not to even touch the math,” said Tanaka, a senior at Wayzata. “Because it’s like, math can be such a sensitive thing for other people because it is hard, it’s right or wrong. And by approaching it that way, it’s much easier to make a connection with them, and it’s much more impactful too.”
Since becoming a part of Wayzata’s Academic Mentor Program, Tanaka has tutored about 50 students one-on-one.
She also goes into classrooms to help provide support when needed.
“She [helps] me a lot,” said Chris Modise, a junior at Wayzata who receives one-on-one help from Tanaka.
“Chris is awesome,” replied Tanaka.
Tanaka says her motivation to provide this support comes from wanting to connect with others.
“It’s really impactful to me to know that I can add that much joy to someone else’s life,” Tanaka said.
Stella Tanaka (center) helps a Wayzata High School student in an intermediate algebra class.
‘She Doesn’t Want Accolades For It’
If you talk to teachers like Emily Haugh, they’ll tell you that Tanaka truly has a passion for helping those around her.
“Stella is one of the most mature, empathetic, and driven students I’ve ever had the privilege of working with,” said Haugh, Wayzata’s academic mentor coordinator. “She knows the gifts that she has and she freely shares them. She doesn’t want accolades for it. She’s not looking for the badge of honor. She’s just really wanting to help make others’ lives better.”
Tanaka still has about six months left of her senior year at Wayzata, and during that time, she hopes to continue making an impact on her peers, while also setting up the Academic Mentor Program for future success once she graduates.
“I’m already mourning her leaving me in June because she’s, I mean, it’s like having a co-worker,” said Haugh. “It’s a huge privilege to be able to work with her every day.”
When Tanaka isn’t helping others, she plays varsity softball, and she’s involved in a research project at the University of Minnesota through Wayzata’s Honors Mentor Connection Program.
She is still undecided on a college.
Stella Tanaka helps Wayzata junior Chris Modise with a math assignment.
Related: Wayzata District Proposes Bond Referendum for New Schools, High School Expansion
Wayzata High School
