Volunteers of the Month – July 2026
Laura Willbanks
What advice would you give to a new volunteer at School on Wheels?
Stick with it! Consistency can make a tremendous difference in a student’s academic journey. Many students miss out on the support they need in the classroom, and tutoring can help fill those gaps.
What have you learned from your student?
Everyone has their own interests and curiosities that can become opportunities for learning.
Bethany Bauer
What motivated you to start volunteering at School on Wheels?
I was fortunate to receive an education and I firmly believe that education is a human right. It’s nice to be able to give back to my community once per week and help some kids who otherwise wouldn’t be getting 1 on 1 help with school.
What advice would you give to a new volunteer at School on Wheels?
One of the best things you can teach a kid is that they have agency if they choose to put in the work rather than taking the easy way out. As hard as it may be, supporting them is not the same thing as letting them do whatever they want, and a little bit of encouragement can go a long way.
What inspires you to overcome any challenges that arise with tutoring?
I am inspired by the kids showing up each week on a Saturday ready to learn. They have better work ethics and attitudes than most adults.
What have you learned from your student?
I’ve learned that people see the world and approach new concepts in different ways. I can explain things over and over the way that makes sense to me, with no results. Progress can only be made once I try to follow a student’s line of thinking and see things their way.
Alyse Fragosa
What motivated you to start volunteering at School on Wheels?
After touring Monarch School in San Diego during an annual Board of Directors meeting and learning about the challenges faced by children experiencing homelessness, I felt inspired to become more involved. When I returned to Los Angeles, I began searching for opportunities to make a difference and discovered School on Wheels.
What advice would you give to a new volunteer at School on Wheels?
No matter what kind of day you’re having, take a moment to reset before working with your student so you can be fully present and bring your best energy to support their success.
What inspires you to overcome any challenges that arise with tutoring?
I believe that investing in one child can create a ripple effect that extends far beyond that individual. My goal is to help students from underprivileged minority communities gain the confidence, education, and opportunities to change the trajectory of their lives and, in turn, positively impact future generations.
What have you learned from your student?
My students have shown me that difficult circumstances do not define a person’s potential. They remind me that talent, intelligence, and determination are everywhere.
Cate McWilliam
What motivated you to start volunteering at School on Wheels?
I used to volunteer as a track coach back home in New York. Through that experience, I saw how much of a positive impact one person and one consistent activity can have on kids’ confidence. When I moved to LA, I wanted to find a way to continue doing that.
What advice would you give to a new volunteer at School on Wheels?
Find out what your student loves! Tailoring lessons to your student’s interests will make the lesson more fun and more impactful.
What inspires you to overcome any challenges that arise with tutoring?
My student’s dreams of being a paleontologist motivate me. I feel compelled to protect his love of learning and to consistently provide a supportive and secure environment for him to learn.
What have you learned from your student?
My student consistently wows me with his emotional intelligence. Every week we share a rose, bud, and thorn. While I might share looking forward to the weekend, his answers are far more selfless and include helping his mom and becoming a better friend.