Among my friends, I have always been known as a “mom friend.” I throw elaborate birthday celebrations, hand out Advil for headaches, and always have granola bars and gum in my locker. It really just makes me happy to help people out in little ways and to ensure the people I care about are doing well. Since last March, birthday parties are a no-go, I’m never close enough to others to give out Advil, and I can’t even remember my locker combination. The ability to help people in the ways I’m used to has become a distant memory, and that’s been really hard.
When David Min reached out to me in the late spring of 2020, I thought tutoring could be a cool opportunity to try something new and earn community service hours. What I didn’t expect was the return to my life of helping others through small actions. Through tutoring three elementary school students in reading, writing, and math over the past year, I have been able to see them grow and get excited about learning, and it is so cool to me that I am a part of that.
In a time when we can often feel useless against all the bad happening in the world, Boston COVID Tutoring has given me a chance to help others and do some good, even in little ways.
We are so grateful to Mary for sharing her time and patience- when schools paused due to the pandemic, Mary brought her positive energy and kindness to weekly tutoring sessions! My student loved the way that Mary has changed activities over time. Mary was so creative with engaging activities: they read together, spelling, and story writing - we are grateful to Mary for continuing to tutor even after the kids have returned to school, and she is a wonderful role model.
- Mary's tutee's parent
Interviews: Graham Bateman
Video editing: Tushar Aggarwal
