Volunteers of the Month – August 2025

Sascha Salazar

What motivated you to start volunteering at School on Wheels?
I got motivated to volunteer at School on Wheels after graduating university and finding myself wanting to give back to the community. My goal was to utilize the higher education I received to help others. Upon finding SOW, I felt that this organization’s mission aligned with my values. During the time I started volunteering, I also began my job, which is being an early literacy tutor. Thus, my work with SOW is an extension of what I do at my other job as well!

What advice would you give to a new volunteer at School on Wheels?
I would advise a new volunteer at School on Wheels to focus on building trust with your students. The relationship you form is crucial to your students’ learning. It helps in establishing routine and familiarity. Further, it is incredible witnessing their long-term growth. Hence, it is wise to invest time and energy in your student-tutor relationship.

What inspires you to overcome any challenges that arise with tutoring?
The image of my student excelling in her academics is what inspires me to overcome any challenges that arise with tutoring. I have my mind set on one goal: the vision of my student succeeding and crushing it with her academics. That is what is my biggest motivation in working through and moving beyond challenges.

What have you learned from your student?
My student has taught me to value the lightbulb moments of creativity. She is very curious and has a vivid imagination. It is fantastic viewing her ideas through her drawings and other work. My student has also taught me to have more trust and confidence with my own ideas and visions.

Elizabeth Zamora

What motivated you to start volunteering at School on Wheels?
As a college student, I had tutors to help me navigate difficult subjects such as chemistry and biology. Their support made a huge difference in my academic experience, and I wanted to provide that same opportunity for young students who may not have easy access to educational support. Volunteering with School on Wheels felt like a meaningful way to give back.

What advice would you give to a new volunteer at School on Wheels?
I would recommend getting to know your student on a personal level. Learn about their hobbies, interests, and personality, and incorporate those into your lessons to keep them engaged. Breaks are important too, mix them up each session! Whether it’s reading a fun story, building with Legos, watching a short educational video, or doing a stretch, breaks can refresh your student and make the session more enjoyable.

What inspires you to overcome any challenges that arise with tutoring?
Seeing my student make progress, especially in areas where they once struggled, is incredibly motivating. I’m also driven by the opportunity to provide them with a consistent, positive space each week. Sometimes that single hour of tutoring is the calmest or most enjoyable part of their day, and being a part of that matters to me.

What have you learned from your student?
My student has taught me that learning can be fun! I’ve also learned how to become a better communicator. Sometimes I’ll explain something in a way that makes sense to me, but my student will let me know he doesn’t understand. That’s when I realize I need to reword it, break the concept down further, and approach it with patience. Tutoring has shown me how important it is to be flexible, patient, and to make learning feel like a joyful experience rather than a chore.