Blog

It was early March, 2023 when I reached out to Marcy Bryant about tutoring students through the MCC Shine program at A. Montoya in the fall. I knew the background check process took time and I wanted to be ready for the new school year.

Marcy introduced me to Felisa Palfery, who immediately started the ball rolling. When I was midway through the process, an urgent request arrived for a reading tutor for a third grader to start as soon as possible. Then, just before my clearance was approved, we received an urgent request for a math tutor for a third grader.

And so it was that I found myself in early April tutoring two third grade students. And the blessings poured in. First, I met the two caring and talented front desk staff who all day juggle scores of tasks and who inspired me with their kindness and devotion to everyone in the school. Next, I met the school counselor, whose outpouring of love for the students shines like a beacon. I was touched by so many that I met and got to know at the school - the students I tutored, their teachers, and many other school staff.

Everyone at the school expressed sincere gratitude for my service. However, for me, the abundant gifts I received surpassed anything I could imagine. The gift of relationships with so many. The gift of witnessing the growing confidence and skills of a student. The gift of creating a safe space for a student to share about the death of a beloved pet. The gift of living God's will for me. The gift of being inspired by the many who go above and beyond for the school. The gift of being challenged and developing my skills. The gift of engaging with students, teachers, staff, fellow tutors, and the exceptional members of the Shine Core Team at MCC.

Not all of my experiences were easy or as expected. One day, a student disappeared as we were walking back to the classroom. I had to confess to the school counselor that I had lost my student and waited for her to be found. I then was able to witness and learn from the school counselors who firmly handled the situation with kindness and compassion.

As I was finishing tutoring this past school year, I told my fifth grade student that the following week would be our last session together. “Noooo!” he responded. Certain he was disappointed that we would be unable to finish the exciting book we were reading, I assured him that he could keep the book after our last session. When he told me he had other books he was already reading, I asked him what made him sad that our sessions were coming to an end. “Not seeing you every week.”

I have no words for the beauty of God's blessings.

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If you’d like to experience the blessings of serving with Shine, talk to Wendy Erickson or Marcy Bryant.