Thanks to the Student Success Facilitators and their students for getting super creative and making our volunteers feel seen and appreciated. The CIS Board of Directors, admittedly, had a tough time voting for just 3 boards. Congratulations to our winners: Harper, Aspen Community School (header image), Badi, Milagro Middle School (above), and Merry, Gonzales Community School (below).

Shoutout to Ms. Barbara, a 3 year CIS volunteer tutor veteran at Chaparral Elementary!

This year, Barbara has been working with a dedicated group of 5th grade students, helping them tackle challenges and grow their math skills. Thanks to her unwavering support and hard work, a group of five students made such amazing progress that they were able to move out of the math tutoring group by winter break! Ms. Barbara was then assigned another group of 5 new students in the second semester. She also makes time to tutor another student one-on-one.

“We are so grateful for Barbara’s dedication and the impact she’s made on these students’ learning journeys. Thank you, Barbara, for all you do!” (Becca, CIS Student Success Facilitator at Chaparral Elementary School)

“Barbara’s time and commitment has made a positive impact in helping students overcome math challenges and build confidence! Barbara is truly a treasure at Chaparral!” (Mrs. Juvrud)

Shoutout to Kris and Jim, volunteer tutors at Ramirez Thomas Elementary School

Kris and Jim have truly been outstanding! They consistently bring a positive, upbeat attitude and are always eager to offer their support in countless ways. Their dedication to the students is remarkable, as they constantly think of new ways to engage and inspire, including bringing in new books for the kids to enjoy. The students are always excited to attend tutoring sessions and dive into reading.

As a bilingual tutor, Jim is deeply committed to supporting our Spanish-speaking students. His dedication and personalized approach are key to his success—he tailors his techniques to meet the needs of each student. Thanks to his thoughtful instruction, two of the students he worked with made such remarkable progress that they transitioned out of tutoring, having reached their appropriate reading levels! The growth our students have shown throughout the semester is a clear testament to Kris and Jim’s unwavering commitment and impactful support. We are so grateful to have them be a part of the RTE team! (Alicia, CIS Student Success Facilitator at Ramirez Thomas Elementary School)