Volunteers of the Year – 2025
Congratulations to our
Volunteers of the Year!
David Lopez
Being able to work with a student on a subject they struggle with in particular and seeing them express that ever so elusive “Aha!” moment on their faces always fills me with an incredible sense of fulfillment. These experiences that fuel my motivation — supplemented with the enthusiasm the students express to learn every session — inspire me to overcome any challenge that arises. If these students can show up to tutoring ready to learn with a positive attitude while in the difficult situations they’re in, then I have no excuse to approach any challenge with pessimism.
Debra (Debbie) Edelston
My favorite part about tutoring is the joy that I get when I see my student. We approach the subject matter together, and I get to see her smile and see her excitement about learning. We always talk about her day, her week, and something special in her life. She loves to share and is so excited to learn! It’s both refreshing and heartwarming. She inspires me to show up and be there for her, to see her smile and her learning new things; it’s what keeps me going.
Kristine Wyatt
When there’s time, I love to ask my students what they’re most curious about and want to learn more about. Then I look it up and am ready to share what I’ve learned with them the next time. Over the years and with various students, we’ve talked about Japan’s three writing systems, how hurricanes form, Confucius, Nikola Tesla, how trees communicate, the Panama Canal, gerrymandering…well, you get the idea! Every single child I’ve had the pleasure of tutoring has been unique and fabulous in his/her own way. I have learned something wonderful from each one of them, but to generalize and to take this full circle, what I have learned from them and this experience is to be open-minded and to go with the flow.
Raquel Bennett
I think my favorite part of tutoring is seeing my student grow and open up over time. Since I’ve been with my current student for over a year now, I’ve gotten to see her spectacular progress in reading. I’ve also been incredibly fortunate to have my student warm up to me over time and share more about her likes and dislikes and friendships and family. My student has taught me patience and humility, and to understand that everything I do and learn is to support my student. Working directly one on one with my student has taught me that the process of learning is more important than reaching some arbitrary goal and that it’s important to build rapport so that I can better structure our sessions around my student’s learning style and needs.
Adrienne Argenbright
I love when my student and I laugh together. When a question in their homework is worded in a funny way, or when one of our games takes a ridiculous turn…those moments are the ones that make me feel like we are really connecting, in a way transcends just helping with academics. No matter where a student is academically, there are always moments when something just CLICKS, and I can see how brilliant they are. When that happens, it inspires me to keep working through the challenging times, because I know these students are brimming with potential that just needs a little extra help to develop. My students teach me every session how to approach life with humor, open-mindedness, and tenacity.
Francesca Macrae
It is so satisfying to feel like I have made some small impact on a young person’s life, and am able to help get them more up to speed for their grade level. My favorite part is when my student smiles and says she’s proud of herself for answering a question/reading a word/seeing herself learn. Education is the key to avoiding future homelessness/creating a different life, and I’m so inspired to be a part of this. My student faces so many challenges, yet often wants to go over our allotted time to learn more. If we don’t get to something in a session, she doesn’t hesitate to bring it up the next time we connect.
Isael Monico
I joined School on Wheels because I deeply respect their mission, and it has been truly rewarding to help promote education for students in difficult situations. My favorite part of tutoring has been getting to know my students and learning about their unique interests. Our conversations range from discussing career and higher education aspirations to sharing our favorite Pokémon games or laughing at each other’s drawings. My students are my greatest inspiration. Seeing the time and effort they put into learning and bettering themselves motivates me to do everything I can to support them. Their resilience and dedication reminds me of the importance of perseverance and always pushing forward, regardless of the challenges that may arise.
Connie Highberg
This has been a wonderful way to be of service. Remembering that it’s not about me but about these kids helps overcome inevitable challenges. I love our last 10 minutes of each session when my student enthusiastically reads to me — she can even make math fun!
Bianca Monique Santiago
In my attempt to make even the smallest positive impact that I can on these students’ lives, they have made an incredible impact on mine. Seeing these students overcome more challenges than most just to keep up in school, then put in the extra hours to make sure they excel inspires me to live with greater integrity and work ethic. No matter how my day is going, my student always finds a way to make it better. Thinking about her and her family’s situation puts everything else in perspective. It forces me to take stock of my own life and think that if they can show resilience in the face of what I would imagine feel like insurmountable odds at times, then so can I. Even in my personal life, I find myself asking this question: “Is this choice one that would make me a good role model for my student?”
Margie Johnson
I love children, especially helping those that have difficulties reaching their full potential. I have a soft spot in my heart for them and really want them to succeed in life. I’ve learned that they also want to do well! I have taught students in many settings and they want to learn. They are excited when they catch on. Getting to know my students, seeing that they are excelling and enjoying the tutoring, is so fulfilling. Knowing more about them and them knowing about me makes it all fun and enjoyable!
Maconnie Dukuly
I love what I do at School on Wheels! The kids and their future is what is important to me, and to be a part of a team that also feels the same way feels incredible. Whether the kids have high energy levels or low, I know my attitude and energy will affect them, so I do my best to leave everything at the door. I am learning Spanish! ¡Estoy aprendiendo Español! I am working on it, If I ask them how to say something in Spanish, they are always willing to be patient and teach me. As they teach me Spanish, I teach them English — it’s a win-win situation!