Student Spotlight: AJ Tutor and Rylee Chisholm

Fewer than 0.3% of Mississippi public high school students even attempt the challenge of the AP® Physics 1 exam. Among all 38 Advanced Placement® subjects, AP Physics 1 has the lowest average score and the lowest percentage of students who achieve a “qualifying” score—the minimum required to earn college credit.

AJ Tutor and Rylee Chisholm, currently seniors at South Pontotoc (MS) High School, took on that challenge—during a pandemic—and excelled. Both not only earned qualifying scores on the AP Physics 1 exam, they also were among the very few students statewide who achieved top results on the test. AJ scored a 4 and Rylee scored a 5, the highest possible AP score, and a feat achieved last year on the AP Physics 1 exam by only 11 Mississippi public high school students—fewer than 1 in 10,000. Rylee also was one of the very few girls statewide to achieve a perfect score—last year, only 4 girls did so.

AJ and Rylee are part of the Global Teaching Project’s Advanced STEM Access Program, which provides promising students in rural, underserved communities access to rigorous STEM courses they need to achieve their full potential, but which their schools otherwise may not be able to offer.

The Global Teaching Project’s blended instructional model utilizes multiple components to teach students like AJ and Rylee. During the school year, students receive in-person instruction in their classroom and through GTP’s residential programs at Mississippi universities, as well as in regular live, virtual tutoring sessions with STEM majors from leading colleges across the country. Students also receive textbooks, workbooks, substantial online resources, and, as needed, Chromebooks.

After Covid-19 forced their school to close its doors last March, AJ and Rylee continued to receive instruction daily through GTP’s virtual classes. In addition, their classroom teacher, Ms. Sharon Schaefer, responded heroically, applying her extraordinary substantive expertise and teaching skills to provide further instruction, resources, and support. Ms. Schaefer is a gifted educator who has been an integral part of the Advanced STEM Access Program since its inception 4 years ago.

We reached out to both AJ and Rylee for a question and answer session to learn how they achieved success in the face of unprecedented challenges, and what they plan for the future.

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AJ Tutor

Please tell us your grade, and a little bit about where you’re from and what your community is like.

While taking AP Physics, I was in the 11th grade. I live in a small town in northern Mississippi called Pontotoc where we love sports and sweet tea. Just a classic Mississippi county.

What do you like about Physics?  Are you interested in studying Physics in college?

I loved all the math in Physics. I don’t plan on taking Physics in college, but I thought taking this course would be useful in improving my math skills.

Has anyone in your family pursued a career in STEM? 

The closest thing someone does to STEM would be my dad, who is a physical therapist.

Are you interested in pursuing a career in STEM, or in Physics, in particular?

I plan on becoming a High School Math teacher. I know how much of an impact my teachers have had on me, so I want to be able to have the same impact on others.

What was it like studying for the AP Exam during the initial Covid-19 outbreak in March 2020? Was it difficult to study without being in school?

At first I thought it would be difficult, but because of the Zoom meetings that we did, I was able to prepare enough to make a great score.

The AP Physics 1 exam has the lowest pass rate of all the AP exams.  Did you think you were going to pass initially?  How do you feel now, knowing that you did so well on such a difficult exam?

When I started AP Physics, I was guessing I would make a 2 or 3, maybe at best a 4. However, looking back, I realize that Ms. Schaefer prepared me enough to make the score I made. I am so thankful for all the work Ms. Schaefer and Mr. Dolan put into us in the face of the global pandemic.

What did you like about the Global Teaching Project’s STEM program?  What aspects of it did you find helpful?  Would you recommend this program to other students at your school?

I loved the Global Teaching Project’s program because it made the learning easy and manageable. Anyone looking into taking a higher math or science should definitely think about taking AP Physics.

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Rylee Chisholm

Please tell us your grade, and a little bit about where you’re from and what your community is like.

I am in 12th grade at South Pontotoc High School in Pontotoc, MS.  Pontotoc is a fairly small town with a close-knit community and our school is technologically lacking, but we try our best.

What do you like about Physics?  Are you interested in studying Physics in college?

I enjoy working the problems as if they are complex puzzles.  I am not quite sure what I will do in college, but Physics is definitely an option.

Has anyone in your family pursued a career in STEM? 

My cousin works in a STEM related field.

Are you interested in pursuing a career in STEM, or in Physics, in particular?

I am interested in pursuing a career in STEM, but I’m not sure if it will be Physics specifically.

What was it like studying for the AP Exam during the initial Covid-19 outbreak in March 2020? Was it difficult to study without being in school?

We had zoom calls with a lot of the other AP Physics classes and my teacher would assign us work to do through reminder messages and emails.  It was really difficult staying motivated to study and practice while stuck at home.

The AP Physics 1 exam has the lowest pass rate of all the AP exams.  Did you think you were going to pass initially?  How do you feel now, knowing that you did so well on such a difficult exam?

I did think that I was going to pass, but I did not expect to do as well as I did.  I am very proud and thankful that Mrs. Schaefer and everyone at the Global Teaching Project put in so much effort to make sure we were prepared for our Exam.

What did you like about the Global Teaching Project’s STEM program?  What aspects of it did you find helpful?  Would you recommend this program to other students at your school?.

I liked how involved the Global Teaching Project was with us students.  It was helpful to have access to plenty of practice material and have real-time classes online.  I would absolutely recommend this program to my fellow classmates.