Volunteer Stories

Kathy Kau

Kathy is a classroom volunteer and Site Director for Willow Oaks School who has taken her ASM volunteering far beyond tutoring. Kathy helped to organize the first ever free book fair at Willow Oaks, marshalling other ASM volunteers in the effort to collect and organize donated books so that each student was able to take home and keep 5 books. When the spring book fair was cancelled due to campus closure, she roped in several volunteers to select grade-appropriate donated books so every teacher on campus could send home books to each of their students.

Kathy has also been on campus helping to organize Chromebooks to go home to students for remote learning as well as packing up teacher classrooms and common spaces as part of the school’s move to the Belle Haven campus. 

Raji Pillai

Raji is in her third year of volunteering and participated in ASM's virtual tutoring pilot program in the summer of 2020.

​"I have enjoyed the online tutoring format, and the focused, one-on-one time with a single student. I had a rewarding experience this summer doing online tutoring with Maria, a rising 4th grader. We have been reading an e-version of Charlotte's Web and each session we look forward to continuing where we left off in the story. ​I keep track of the new words she encounters each week, and we start the next session by reviewing together," she says.

"It's been a joy reading with an inquisitive student, hearing her expressive reading, and seeing her progress. I am looking forward to continuing next year in the online tutoring format and hope to connect with Maria in 4th grade."

Jeanette Kennedy

Jeanette has been volunteering with the same second grade teacher for many years. When the Ravenswood campuses closed in March and the schools switched to distance learning, Jeanette joined her teacher's Zoom classroom and was able to keep working with the same students on their reading skills using online books. Then during the summer, Jeanette participated in ASM's first formal online tutoring program and was paired with a 4th grader to work on reading, writing and math. 

"Whether we were reading books, working on a writing project, or going over some math problems, it was easy to screen share and use the same online tools that students were already familiar with from when they switched to distance learning in the spring. The kids are eager to connect with the volunteers and get some special one-on-one time just like they are when we are both in person. I'm glad to be able to continue volunteering and connect with the students online."

Kathryn and Kevin Kranen

Kevin and Kathryn Kranen have a passion for education and supporting efforts aimed at closing the achievement gap among elementary school students. They have been supporting a 5th grade teacher at Willow Oaks School now for three years. A unique husband and wife team, Kevin and Kathryn support students in the same classroom for two hours every Wednesday and Thursday during the school year, working with students in small groups of two to three at a time.
 
Kevin gets to know a bit about his students’ lives. “The kids like to share their personal stories.” He ties together elements from their lives with the stories they are reading to help the students make deeper connections. 

​Kathryn shared what the volunteering has been like for her. "It’s about having a relationship with the kids and helping them achieve their potential. This is the most joyful hour in my week. It is an incredible change of pace and so rewarding.”

Jesse Ladomirak
​Bob Fletcher and Sylvia Seibert

ASM volunteer Jesse Ladomirak volunteers with her father Bob Fletcher and her mother-in-law Sylvia Seibert. She remembers one student who visibly benefitted from having a consistent volunteer work with him every week.

“He had a hearing issue identified really late and had recent surgery. It was hard to understand what he was saying and you had pay close attention and ask him to speak louder, slowly.” This student was assigned to read alphabet books at the beginning of the year, but once Jesse spent a month with the student she decided to bring books she used with other students at a higher level. They discovered he could read. Jesse worked with him patiently and steadily that year. “Within months, he progressed. He became confident. His demeanor changed. I don’t think that could’ve happened if the student didn’t have the same volunteer every week to help.” 

Amy Bonforte

Amy Bonforte has been volunteering at Belle Haven School since 2016 and by the end of her first year, she expanded her reach beyond her assigned classroom to the entire school. Amy worked with the San Francisco Public Library Redistribution Program and The Children's Book Project to hand select about 1,000 books - providing at least one for every student at Belle Haven School. A win-win as the books selected would have been recycled had they not been taken. 
 
Amy didn't stop there. The following year, just before the winter and summer breaks, she set up a "bookstore" at Belle Haven to supply students with donated books to read over the school breaks. Now, Amy has set up a permanent book cart. The "grab and go" cart allows students to pick new books whenever they want. Each week, Amy can be found organizing and refreshing the popular bookstore on wheels!

Amy has also joined ASM's virtual tutoring program, a new effort implemented when campuses closed and students began learning from home.

Karl Clausing

Karl began volunteering with All Students Matter in his retirement because he was interested in giving back in the local community and the hands-on nature of tutoring students had appeal.

Karl enjoys having dedicated time with each student he is assigned. “I think working one-on-one with students is the most rewarding since it enables me to get to know them. As we walk to our quiet reading spot, I have a chance to hear stories about their life.” 

Beyond tutoring students, Karl supports his classroom teacher in other ways. For example, Karl has been on several field trips with his class and helped his teacher move classrooms this summer. “The move was a good time to connect with my teacher in a more relaxed setting outside of class hours.”

​Karl says his work with students is rewarding and makes a difference. “Volunteering with All Students Matter is a very good opportunity to give back to a community of students that can benefit from your support. You get a lot bang for the time you invest.”