Tutor Spotlight: LaShurn Purnell

March 6, 2025

LaShurn in her first year as a volunteer!

This month, Heart Math Tutoring is proud to feature volunteer LaShurn Purnell! LaShurn began tutoring in the 2019/20 school year and since then, she has supported 9 individual students across 5 different Charlotte schools! Heart Program Coordinators know her as a “strong and consistent tutor,” and are grateful for her dedication to her students. LaShurn’s employer, Brighthouse Financial, has also been a long-time supporter of Heart Math Tutoring and is committed to positively impacting the lives of youth in the Charlotte community.

Read below to hear about LaShurn’s tutoring experience in her own words:

How did you get involved with Heart Math Tutoring?

A representative from Heart Math Tutoring came to Brighthouse Financial’s office in Charlotte to discuss volunteer opportunities. During the presentation, one of my colleagues shared her experience volunteering with Heart Math Tutoring. After the meeting, I decided to sign up!    

What is your favorite or most rewarding thing about being a tutor?

In the 2024/25 school year, LaShurn is supporting students as a virtual tutor!

Seeing the students’ enthusiasm about learning. They come into the sessions excited and ready to learn. 

How have you seen your students grow through tutoring?

I’ve seen how tutoring increases their confidence, especially when I explain how they should think through the process of solving a math problem.  

What has been your most memorable moment from tutoring?

During one of the tutoring sessions, we were told we had two minutes remaining. As I prepared to wrap up the session, the student looked at me and said, “We have two minutes, we can do at least one more lesson.”   

How has support from your employer, Brighthouse Financial, impacted your volunteer experience?

Brighthouse Financial is deeply committed to enhancing the quality of life in the places where we live and work. To that end, it encourages its employees to volunteer and give back to our communities.

Thank you, LaShurn and Brighthouse Financial, for your commitment to making a difference in the lives of students!