Elijah loves the cosmos! He is even learning a bit of Russian because NASA Astronauts must speak Russian to work in the ISS (International Space Station). Elijah also really likes his new theatre class and we have a lot of fun reading aloud from a book School on Wheels sent us, The Lost Property Office.

Each time we meet, Elijah gets better and better at reading and using different inflections for the various characters. He is quite theatrically inclined!

Elijah is also beginning remote schooling at a NEW school this year, but takes it in stride and remains very positive. He reminds me of the brilliance and possibility of youth. Whether it’s learning Russian, being consistent with his lessons, or just saying YES to every lesson plan I proposed, Elijah has a faith in himself that is both innocent and infectious. I want to be more like Elijah!

Marisol Sacramento, Tutor

Steven loves Spiderman, comics, tik-tok, beatboxing, and dancing. Though he sometimes struggles with staying focused, Steven wants to be a good reader.

It’s important to bookend each lesson with fun, no pressure activities, and some of the most fun I have working with Steven is when he uses this time to share some of his favorite dance moves with me!

Lihi Shadmi & Aviv Wilder, Tutor

On his free days, Daniel loves to skateboard. He picked it up as a hobby last December and hasn’t put it down since, averaging 2-3 hours a day of practice. It’s a great outlet for him, not only as exercise but mentally, learning to perform complex tricks. He has also been playing soccer ever since he was 6 years old and loves the sciences.

One of the biggest academic hurdles Daniel recently faced is transferring to a new school mid-year. Having to catch up on assignments the teacher had already provided other students in addition to all newly assigned homework, tests, and quizzes has been difficult to juggle all at once.

Daniel dreams of living the American dream of graduating college, having a family of his own, and owning a house one day. Daniel has taught me perseverance and that with yourself being the main motivator, every goal is achievable. I have learned that even when things get rough, the only way past all the hurdles in life is through them.

Jennyfer Han, Tutor

Hernan loves spending time with his family, doing community service through his school, participating in sports, and occasionally playing video games.

When I first met Hernan, he was struggling with poor grades and an overall lack of interest in school as a freshman. His grade point average at the end of freshman year was 1.42 due to a lack of motivation. Now, as he enters his final year of high school, his GPA is 3.4; he earned a GPA of 4.15 in his junior year!

Hernan would like to pursue a career in medicine and possibly become a surgeon. He has been motivated by some of the science related to the COVID-19 pandemic and he would like to pursue immunology or molecular biology as a major in College.

The ultimate lesson I have learned from Hernan is that we all have the potential to be successful. This is even more important for young students of Southern California in underserved communities. I am motivated to be a lifelong tutor and mentor to these students and I will encourage them to do so as well.

Tolulope Popoola , Tutor