Noah's Story
Noah Chicoine is a PhD student at Northeastern University who was introduced to the Petey Greene Program by a fellow engineering student. Initially intrigued, after some follow-up research, Noah quickly realized tutoring justice-system-impacted students was something he wanted to be a part of. “I thought it was an amazing opportunity,” he recalls. “I looked it up on my phone right then and there, applied, and followed through.”
Since last fall Noah has been tutoring math and science for adolescent boys aged 13 to 17 at Bright Futures in Methuen and plans to continue tutoring in the summer. Noah initially signed up to tutor math but was willing to expand his focus to all STEM subjects when the needs of the classroom shifted.. One memorable moment came when he used the solar eclipse as an impromptu science lesson, explaining how and why eclipses happen, and why protective glasses are necessary. “When we had to sit down and do math problems, I really tried to make it relevant or cater to their interests. For example, when the eclipse happened, I shifted the lesson to teaching them about what it means, why it happens, and why we need glasses. That was definitely a much more engaging conversation; they actually wanted to participate.”
Noah believes that one of the most important ways he can make an impact is simply by being consistent: “I tried to be a calming influence, a steady presence every Monday morning.” He noticed that as his students recognized he would be there every week with them, their trust in Noah deepened, and along with it, their eagerness and motivation to learn grew. “I wanted them to feel like they had a safe space to ask questions and explore math without fear or judgment. Sometimes, just having someone there who believes in you can make a huge difference.”
While he knows he helped his students through his experience tutoring, he feels he was left the most transformed from the experience. For Noah, volunteering with the PGP was an eye-opening experience: “I had no experience with the American carceral system before this,” he admits. “It really broadened my understanding, not just of the juvenile system but of the larger structures that contribute to incarceration.” Through working with the students and engaging with the Petey Greene Program’s Justice Education Series webinars and standardized tutor trainings, and discussions, he gained a deeper awareness of the challenges facing system-impacted learners. This newfound perspective has only strengthened his resolve to continue volunteering. “The students have impacted me as much as I've tried to impact them,” he reflects. “This experience has deepened my commitment to education and to supporting incarcerated learners. I plan to keep doing this as long as I can.”
For Noah, tutoring isn’t just about teaching math and science; it’s about connection, mentorship, and creating an environment where students feel seen, supported, and capable. In this, Noah has found a purpose that extends far beyond the classroom walls. Though uncertain about what the future holds post-PhD, one thing is clear: a commitment to justice and education for incarcerated students remains strong.