Tag: star tutors 2018

Nov 6

Tutors of the Month – November 2018

Martha Dietzel | | Star Volunteers

Region 10:

Marianna tutors at a domestic violence emergency shelter and her Tutor Coordinator nominated because of her dedication and consistency to the students. The expectation is that a tutor would come one day, one hour a week, but Marianna regularly comes 2-3 times a week. -Ana, Volunteer Support Coordinator

Marianna Schroeder – I learned about School on Wheels through volunteermatch.org. After scrolling through a number of volunteer opportunities in my area, I found that School on Wheels was the perfect match for me. Regularly practicing philanthropy, empathy, and compassion is highly important to me, and I’m grateful to have witnessed the personal and educational impacts of these traits among students and tutors at School on Wheels.

In a recent tutoring session, a fifth grade student asked me insightful questions about college and told me he wanted to attend UCLA. It amazed me that while overcoming immense instability and difficulty in his life, he was already considering pursuing higher education and working diligently in our sessions to achieve academic success. This memory will always stay with me and make me smile.

Volunteering as a tutor with School on Wheels is a fulfilling, engaging, meaningful, unforgettable, and rewarding experience. It’s genuinely touching to see the joy that is brought to both students and tutors when students believe in themselves and their ability to succeed.

Region 8:

Becky and her tutoring partner, Alli, are two of the most dedicated, consistent, passionate, and patient tutors I could ask for. Each week, they work with a vulnerable group of teen girls at a group foster home. They plan amazing art projects and field trips and inspire not only the girls they work with but me as well. Thank you, Alli and Becky, for all that you do! -Angie, Regional Coordinator

Becky – A few years ago I had brain surgery that left me with some disabilities, but School on Wheels and the group home community has always accepted me as I am. I accept the girls at the group home for who they are too. Really, who could ask for anything more?

Allison Rowe – Tutoring at a group home constantly reminds me of the power of showing up. You can’t undo yesterday, and there’s no knowing what tomorrow will bring.This is especially true for our girls. Showing up, being flexible with how the lesson flows, and bringing creative energy is what builds trust and acceptance between everyone at the table. There are days that the most impactful lessons are the ones I take home about the strength of the human spirit. Every week is an opportunity to listen and learn. It is a true gift to be a part of this community.

Region 1:

Jeremy Agrusa – I was looking to volunteer online and found School on Wheels to be something I was compelled to be a part of. Starting I was a bit nervous. I didn’t know if I would be able to help all that much. I found out was that it’s not about knowing everything or being a teacher: it’s about being there for someone who needs the help. These students are smart and eager to learn, and sometimes they just need to be encouraged. It’s amazing to see the change in a student’s attitude when you congratulate them on the work they do. One of my students in particular does not like math. He would start to get overwhelmed by the amount of work on the page, so we simplified it. I showed him a few tricks that worked for me when I was young and it clicked for him. He got so excited with his progress and speed that he finished 80 problems in less than 20 minutes instead of hours. That’s what this program is about, showing these students that we are there for them and that they are capable of exceeding their own expectations.

Region 5:

Eric Garcia – I began working with School on Wheels through my work at Revolve. I’ve been helping to tutor Latin students at Casa Libre through Schools on Wheels. I try to help students in any way I can; I usually read in English or sketch with the students. I feel lucky to be helping tutor at this organization because I truly believe good change starts with youth. I feel fulfilled to help the students as best I can to reach their goals!

 

Region 2:

Charlotte Kim – While I grew up in Los Angeles, I didn’t think twice about what it meant to be able to enroll in SAT bootcamp or other enrichment programs during high school, let alone have a stable home. Joining the hip-hop club when I started college, however, initiated my interest in underserved communities and some of the issues they face. Since January, I have had the pleasure of sharing my passion for learning with tomorrow’s future leaders and thinkers at an emergency shelter. It is always gratifying to see how excited the students are when I arrive with the other tutors for group tutoring, where we practice anything from math to reading to art. Thanks to School on Wheels and their endless support, I now see how much talent, enthusiasm, and compassion exist in our city despite immense challenges.

Miriam Leserman – I have been with School on Wheels for about four and a half years now, and it has been one of the most amazing experiences I have ever had.

I was looking to do volunteer work and stumbled upon School on Wheels. Since the beginning I have worked as both a tutor and tutor coordinator at various locations.

I am currently at a domestic violence shelter. This location has been by far the most rewarding. Although I don’t get to work with the same children all the time, it has given me the opportunity to work with dozens of children and serve the community on a greater scale.

Online:

Lori Horhor – I completely love my experience online tutoring with School on Wheels! I love watching students reach their “a-ha” moment after struggling with the material for some time, because it demonstrates that hard work and practice always pays off. I realized that students look forward to meeting with their online tutor every week, which signifies that the relationship between tutor and student is extremely valuable in ways greater than simply academics. I hope that as an online tutor, I not only help my students understand their schoolwork, but also instill within them a curiosity and passion to learn and thrive.

Feb 6

Tutors of the Month – February 2018

School on Wheels | | Star Volunteers

Online:

Aidan Stern – I see the impact that we School on Wheels tutors have on the lives of homeless students. Through online tutoring, I have been able to interact with students far beyond where I live, and I can fit tutoring time in spaces that would be impossible with regular school, work and commuting. These past few months I have watched my students gradually grow in their skills of complex arithmetic and grammar concepts. It has been very rewarding to see one of my students, Savanna, progress in multiplication. After just a few online sessions, we have progressed from two-digit multiplication to more complex compound multiplication. In-between her math homework questions, we take mini-breaks and play tic-tac-toe or do a maze. Getting to know my students has profoundly shown me the impact we all have on our students’ lives.

 

Sarah Lohmar – Although I have only been an online tutor for a little less than a year, I have quickly learned to love working with the students and getting them excited about learning. What is great about School on Wheels is that it focuses not only on education, but on inspiring confidence in students. I have learned that this confidence can be built in many ways, whether it be helping students realize they really do understand the material or by asking about their favorite subjects in school. Thanks to volunteering as a tutor, I get to help my local community and work with amazing, energetic students every week!

 

Region 5 – Hollywood, Silverlake, Pasadena:

Jonathan Garcia – My experience with School on Wheels over the past 2 1/2 years has been nothing short of amazing. I’ve been lucky enough to work with a handful of diverse students over this time, and although some days may be more productive than others, the breakthroughs we are able to accomplish more than make up for the struggles along our journey. I’ve been blessed enough to travel the world multiple times for a career that has been my dream since I was a teen, but in all honesty, the fulfillment and joy that I have cultivated from making a difference in these kids’ lives is far beyond what I could have expected. So much so, that it has led me to contemplate spending even more of my time giving back and helping strengthen the future of these kids that so desperately need it.

 

Alexandra Bendheim – I began tutoring with School on Wheels two years ago, after just graduating from college and at a time in my life where I felt particularly out of control. I wasn’t sure where my path would lead me, and for the first time, I felt out of my comfort zone. A colleague told me about this wonderful organization and thought volunteering would help to put things into perspective for me. She was right. I signed up to tutor the next day, and within the moment of meeting my very first student, Donald, my entire life changed.

Donald taught me about the challenges and trauma that kids in his position face every single day. He was a survivor, who had big dreams of playing professional basketball, and he was a poet (though he didn’t know it yet). Unfortunately, he left soon after. He will face tremendous hardships because there is a total lack of institutional support for kids like him, but with some guidance and extra attention, I am confident he will rise to his full potential.

After that, I made it my mission to be a mentor for other kids like Donald. As tutors, we get to be a part of a support system that can otherwise be lacking in their lives. Just showing up each week, we remind them that people care, and they can succeed. So I am grateful to School on Wheels, and to everyone committed to this mission, because every little ounce of positivity and kindness helps to spread the love and change the world.

 

Skid Row Learning Center:

Carla Gentile – I tutor because I believe education is the backbone of each child’s future. Many parents and guardians in skid row are facing incredible challenges daily just trying to provide basic needs for their children. To know that I am providing a tiny bit of support to these families in order to help them reach a more holistic life brings me joy and humility. I work with the young children ages 5-7. Helping them learn the alphabet, complete basic math and reading assignments alone can be a challenge. When we complete an assignment, we all feel happy and enjoy the accomplishment together! But there’s so much more to it: listening to the kids and helping them navigate their emotions, helping them stay focused and giving them attention that they might not get at school are a big part of tutoring for me. Being able to serve this community by helping a child to build their confidence and self-esteem is why I am here. The fact that we have so much fun doing this is just an extra benefit for me.

 

Region 4 – Long Beach, South Bay Cities:

Cathy Anderson – Cathy is a wonderful addition to the SOW volunteer team. She is always excited to tutor with her student Ariana and she loves to come up with different ways to make tutoring exciting and fun for her student. Cathy has a tremendous passion and love for tutoring. I am so lucky to have her tutoring in my region!

MENU