Volunteer tutors are the heart and soul of School on Wheels. Every month we feature different tutors that are making a difference in their community. Read their stories below.
Clare Bakota. Clare has been a tutor with School on Wheels for almost four months. During that time she has helped her student, Gabriel, blossom from a shy, scared little boy to a successful student. Gabriel was unresponsive at his first session, cowering behind his mother and crying. Clare helped draw him out of his shell by reading him a Dr. Seuss book, which he loved. After that, Clare started bringing more Dr. Seuss books and reading them with Gabriel. Clare was able to earn Gabriel’s trust, and as a result he is not only doing much better in school, but is enjoying learning. Fantastic job, Clare! Paula Buxbaum, Regional Coordinator
Annie Bronston. Annie began tutoring with us at Bible Tabernacle in October 2007. When her student moved, she wasn’t in the least bit hesitant when I asked her if she would be comfortable tutoring at a domestic violence shelter. Since then, she has tutored in many locations. Most recently, Annie has followed her student Jasmine after she moved, driving a long way each week to meet with her. Annie, who is an actress and writer, brings much more than academics to her students. She is kind, supportive and very reliable. On top of all that, she takes her students on wonderful field trips whenever possible. Thank you, Annie, for being such a wonderful tutor and much, much more. Blue Mc Donnell, Regional Coordinator
Region 4 – Long Beach/San Pedro
Damon Ricks. Damon started with us almost two years ago in Redondo Beach. Since then he has been one of my most consistent tutors. Damon is a hard working, fun loving type of guy. Whenever he has had a student move, he has always been ready and willing to take on another student. He is also great at tutoring a child of any age. I know this because he has done wonders with his little student, Ehfaz, who was in the first grade, and another student, Anthony, who was in 8th grade. In addition to taking the time out to help us with our students, Damon also serves the best sushi in Hermosa Beach! Louis Mena, Regional Coordinator
Regions 5 & 6– Hollywood/Mid-city & Glendale/Pasadena
Jerry Buchanan. Jerry is beloved by all of us at School on Wheels. He has been an amazing volunteer tutor with us for over nine (!) years. In the past, Jerry has tutored at four or five different locations in any given week and over the course of the years he has worked with literally hundreds of kids. He currently tutors Edward, 11 years-old, at a domestic violence shelter in Glendale. Edward wants to be a paleontologist when he grows up. Steve Hibbert, Regional Coordinator
Jerry writes about his experiences: “Eight or nine years ago, I started tutoring a boy in a shelter in Lincoln Heights. Later, I found that there was a need in another shelter and took that one on, too. Then another, then another. . . I found that giving these children the leg-up they need to make it in school is certainly one of the most important things I’ve done in my life.”
Jacinta Sveiven. Jacinta has been tutoring for almost a year now. She tutors two brothers, Bric and Boston. She often finds herself needing to get creative to keep learning fun for the boys as she describes when I asked her to share her tutoring experience: “I love it! Granted, there are challenges that come about. The one thing about tutoring that I really like is when the student completes an assignment and feels a sense of accomplishment. For example, about a month ago, Bric had a book report/summary to do and was not too thrilled about it. He kept harping about how long it had to be, but I kept reminding him to just focus on one paragraph at a time and to not think about the length so much. Sure enough, he finished all required writing and had the report done!” Thank you Jacinta, for your great dedication. Yadira Melgoza, Regional Coordinator
Megan Sholty. When Megan saw a School on Wheels post on Craigslist, she immediately answered the call to make a difference in the life of a homeless student. Her own experience with homelessness and the foster care system is what attracted Megan to join our team. Megan knows first-hand the daily challenges our students have to face but most importantly she understands how valuable education is in ensuring that our students break the cycle of homelessness. Megan tells us “While many things are out of my control, being educated isn’t and pursuing an education has opened so many doors to a happy and prosperous future. I support School on Wheels for its mission to give students tools that can never be taken away from them.” Thank you, Megan, for volunteering with us and for being a great role model for our students. We know that you will make a lasting impact in the life of your student! Yanira Rivas, Regional Coordinator
