Tutors of the Month – March 2016
Skid Row Learning Center
– Holly Norman. The Skid Row Learning Center helps students after school who live, amongst other places, at the Union Rescue Mission. Sometimes students have such a long commute that they may not arrive at the shelter until dinner time, leaving little time to do homework. To help these students, we set up group tutoring twice a week where they live. We were not sure if any students would attend. Holly Norman was one of the very first tutors to sign up for the task. We now have between eight and ten tutors at the Union Rescue Mission on various nights, and each tutor helps one or two students. Holly was an essential part of making this happen. Her consistent presence encouraged students to show up, and her friendliness helped them open up! She recently moved to Orange County where she will continue to help other School on Wheels students. We are grateful for all Holly has done at the Union Rescue Mission; she will be missed!
Allison Maldonado, Skid Row Learning Center Instructor
Region 3 – Westside
– Clara Pitsker & Susan Edelman. This month I would like to honor a mother / daughter team that have been wonderful and supportive tutors to two sisters, Jada and Chanelle. I know these students from group tutoring and they are always talking about their tutors and how much they enjoy meeting with them. Thank you both for all you do!
When a friend told me and my teenage daughter about School on Wheels I thought it would be a great opportunity for her to be of service and help others that are less fortunate. I imagined I would drop off Clara at the orientation, drive her to tutoring, etc. I didn’t expect that I would become a tutor as well. I ended up staying for the tutor training, and was inspired by the amazing work that School On Wheels does. I feel as though the little girl I tutor is family, and every minute we spend together has made me grateful for having School on Wheels in my life and for providing the services they do. You guys are the best! – Susan
When I heard about School on Wheels, it sounded like a great opportunity to help others and give back to the community. I’m thinking about becoming a teacher after college, and this was a perfect way to help and tutor someone else. I feel like my student has shown improvement in math, and we’re starting to build a friendship as well. – Clara
Kyle McDonough, Regional Coordinator
Region 4 – South Bay, Long Beach
– Jose Thimothy Long. Through my high school career center, School On Wheels was posted along with many other volunteer options. SOW had so much to offer. It gave me the opportunity to help other children as I do my younger brother. Not only did I get the opportunity to give back to the community but I could hope to inspire a child by helping the student recognize his/her strength. Being a part of SOW has made me realize how much I enjoy teaching. Through this amazing program I learned selflessness and have gained a greater appreciation for a strong education. I now understand what a big part education plays in a person’s life, and that helping a child flourish is extremely gratifying.
Louis Mena, Regional Coordinator
Region 5 – Hollywood, Silver Lake, Highland Park
– Paige Kaplan. Paige has been an amazing tutor who has definitely been there for her student. Paige helps her student academically but is a great mentor as well! Paige teaches her student life lessons and is also a great role model. Her passion and dedication truly shows, and we are so grateful to have Paige on the School On Wheels team! In her own words:
I work with Sumaita on her homework assignments that she is having trouble with, and I also help her study for exams. Math is one of the main subjects we work on. I often find myself explaining different ways to approach problems to her. I have found that helping her understand why we take certain steps, when solving a problem, is more effective than simply memorizing the steps. One of my favorite tutoring moments was when Sumaita and I talked about college: different ways to pay for it, why it’s important, if she thinks she wants to go, and what kind of careers she could have after graduating. It was really cool to see her realize things she may not have been told before and see her express an interest in higher education. Other favorite times were when we took a trip to my favorite coffee shop downtown to study and when we went to the Natural History Museum . Beforehand I taught her how to pump gas.
Lancella Hunter, Regional Coordinator
Region 6 – Inland Empire
– Jannah Jakvani. Jannah began tutoring in July 2015. She has been such a pleasure to have on my team, always positive, friendly, caring and seems to make an immediate connection with her students. Her passion for helping others is very apparent in her personality and the way she interacts with families. She is great about logging her hours and commenting about her sessions. Here is what Jannah had to say about her experience as a tutor:
I decided to volunteer with School on Wheels because I value education a lot and being able to share my love of education with someone else is amazing! Trinity is such an intelligent and sweet girl. I look forward to tutoring every week because I am able to share my enthusiasm about education, and help her see that if she sets her mind to something, she can accomplish it. The best part about tutoring is being able to see the improvements your student has accomplished over time. I am extremely glad to have the opportunity to tutor with School on Wheels.
Jannah, you are GREATLY appreciated!!
Trish Arias, Regional Coordinator
Region 8 – Ventura, Santa Barbara
– Lisa Olmstead. Not only is Lisa our wonderful bookkeeper, she has also been tutoring for five months now! Lisa heard about School On Wheels before she began working here and always knew she wanted to get involved in directly supporting School On Wheels’ mission. As I chatted with Lisa about her tutoring experience, she shared with me that she was a bit nervous that her student might bring work that she wouldn’t be able to help with. Fortunately, that has not happened. Lisa says the most helpful resources she has used during tutoring are the math assessments. She’s also made good use of the links to math worksheets. I truly admire all the hard work you put in at the office, Lisa, and even after a full day’s work, you show up to tutoring prepared with activities and a positive attitude. It is no wonder your student has improved from being at a third grade level to being at fifth grade level. Keep up the great work, Lisa!
Terrie Soto, Regional Coordinator
Region 12 – North Orange County
– Jason Lee. Jason has been tutoring with School On Wheels since March of 2015. During that time, he has been fortunate enough to work with the same student, Deseree.
In his words, I love to learn, but I didn’t always know this. My decision to become a School on Wheels tutor has opened my own eyes to a whole world of endless opportunities. My student’s excitement about the science projects I introduced to her has encouraged me to show the same excitement about everything that I have yet to know. She has unknowingly encouraged me to pursue my own dreams and passion.
Laura Schickling, Regional Coordinator
Online Tutoring
– Vivek Shah. Vivek joined School on Wheels as an in-person tutor in November of 2014. Since moving to Michigan to attend medical school, Vivek continues to tutor with us as an online tutor. Despite his busy schedule, Vivek always makes time to tutor consistently each week. We are very lucky to have Vivek on our team. Miles away, he continues to make a difference.
In his own words:
Tutoring with Kaliyah has truly been a joy. I have seen so much growth and excitement in her during our tutoring sessions; it’s more energetic each time. She’s learning some relatively complex topics in school. By the end of our sessions, Kaliyah can do a practice question with minimal guidance. Seeing that I can make an impact on Kaliyah has honestly made me consider working with children as a pediatrician for the rest of my career.
I’m so happy that School on Wheel has an online tutoring program. I worked with students in-person when I lived in LA and was bummed at the possibility of no longer being able to tutor after I jetted off to medical school. I love teaching so much, and online tutoring is a brilliant idea. There are very few, if any, other organizations that offer tutoring to the population that School on Wheels does. And then to expand the number of available tutors from California to nationwide by offering online tutoring is going the extra mile. I’m proud to be a part of School on Wheels and glad to be tutoring with them!
Ian Chan, Digital Learning Coordinator