Volunteer Appreciation 2025
In honor of National Volunteer Appreciation each year, our program staff submit blurbs on stand-out tutors. It takes more than a bit of arm twisting because they don’t want to pick JUST ONE when every single volunteer we have is outstanding! But choose they must.
It can’t be overstated: our tutors our the heartbeat of our program. It’s not just lip service, either. With more than 1,500 students each year, we literally could not provide services without them.
Here are a just a few to represent an entire army of caring, compassionate individuals.
LOREN SHAPIRO
Not many people would be willing to put their body on the line for a volunteer gig, but LOREN SHAPIRO has jokingly said he would arm wrestle another tutor to be able to work with one of our students. At least I’m pretty sure it was only a joke…
Since becoming a tutor nearly two years ago, Loren has worked diligently with Seeds students two days a week. His bright smile and easy going demeanor are evident when he sits down at a table and asks a student what they would like to work on that day.
After retiring as a psychologist with his own practice, Loren wanted to give back and realized that education was a gift he could give people in our community who have low literacy skills. When asked what advice he would give to any tutor, Loren said “the most important thing I’ve learned about being a tutor is having patience.” He emphasized that although he absolutely loves seeing students brighten when they finally “get it,” success is “measured over time, not just in particular moments.” Loren says that this is a lesson he’s learned both through his career and his tutoring experience.
Recently, a student that Loren has been working with for many months made a significant gain on their reassessment. When the student told Loren, he was overjoyed and congratulated her on her perseverance. “Sometimes she gives me a hard time,” Loren jokes, but at the end of the day he is happy to see students make progress on the journey towards a high school equivalency.
~ Mary, East Coordinator
LYNNE RUMSEY
While many students begin with Fractions, it’s common for others in the same class to work on Algebra, Graphing, or Geometry. Unfortunately, not all tutors feel confident supporting these higher-level math skills. That’s where tutors like LYNNE RUMSEY shine. Lynne is a perfect fit for our advanced math students—and truly, for all math learners.
Lynne has been tutoring math at Seeds of Literacy for four years, making a significant impact on every student she works with. Known for her approachable teaching style and positive attitude, she regularly receives praise from both students and staff. Lynne consistently tutors three to four evenings a week from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.
Many adult learners feel hesitant about returning to the classroom, sometimes believing they’re “too old” to start again. Lynne understands that feeling well. She recalls, “I was minding my own business watching the Channel 5 evening news when an excerpt about Seeds aired. I had just retired and thought virtual tutoring was something I could do. It’s rewarding to help adults further their education. It’s especially cool when someone who ‘hates math’ or ‘was never good at math’ has a lightbulb moment and realizes they’ve been fooling themselves—they can do math, and they can do it well.”
Lynne deeply admires her students, many of whom juggle work, family, and their GED studies. Her respect for their determination and her passion for math make her an invaluable part of our team.
This past year, Lynne celebrated her 70th birthday by going skydiving for the first time—living proof that it’s never too late to pursue something you’ve always wanted to do. That same mindset energizes her tutoring. She’s not just an amazing tutor—she’s one of our biggest student cheerleaders.
~ Carisa, Virtual Coordinator
MARIA PELLESCHI
There are many things that make MARIA PELLESCHI an outstanding tutor in the Seeds of Literacy virtual classroom. First: students love her! Many students request to work with Maria on their language arts lessons. Second: She not only logs in regularly twice a week, she usually picks up an extra session or two. When we run out of tutors in class, we scramble to contact our “on-call” tutors and Maria reliably answers our pleas for help! Third: we usually pair Maria with a reading student, but if we have a need, Maria is always willing to give tutoring math a try! Our students sometimes feel they are stepping outside of their comfort zone returning to school as an adult and can appreciate when our tutors are willing to step out of their comfort zones as well.
Maria is a retired registered nurse. For 25 years, she was a staff nurse in the St. Vincent Charity Medical Center’s Intensive Care Unit, before becoming a nursing instructor and clinical educator. Maria combined her compassion that drew her to nursing with the experience she gained as an instructor and became a tutor for Seeds of Literacy. She is currently a few months shy of her third anniversary with Seeds of Literacy and has already tutored 555 hours…and counting!
~ Anne, Virtual Coordinator
DANETTE DOYLE
In the world of adult education, few shine as brightly as DANETTE DOYLE As a dedicated tutor, Danette embodies the true spirit of what it means to support learners with compassion, patience, and respect.
What makes Danette so special is the way she meets each student exactly where they are. She understands that adult learners come with unique journeys—some balancing work, family, and personal challenges, others overcoming past fears about education. Danette never rushes or judges. Instead, she creates a warm, welcoming space where students feel seen, heard, and safe to grow at their own pace.
Her patience is remarkable. Whether she’s explaining a concept for the third time or finding new ways to help a student understand, Danette stays calm, encouraging, and fully present. She never gives up on anyone—and her students feel that. Her belief in them often becomes the spark they need to believe in themselves.
But it’s Danette’s kindness that truly leaves a lasting impact. She brings a gentle, steady encouragement to every session, offering not just academic support but emotional reassurance. Her smile, her thoughtful words, and her unwavering support have helped countless learners take steps they once thought impossible.
Danette Doyle changes lives, one student at a time. Her work is more than tutoring—it’s a gift of dignity, hope, and possibility. We are deeply grateful for her, and lucky to have her as part of our adult education community.
~ Blair, West Coordinator
BRUCE KOWALSKI*
For over sixteen years, BRUCE KOWALSKI has been a steady and inspiring presence at Seeds of Literacy. As an evening class tutor, Bruce brings a calm, focused energy to the end of the day—meeting students where they are and helping them tackle everything from reading and writing to the most challenging math problems. His ability to tutor in all subjects is impressive, but it’s his exceptional skill in math that has made him a go-to tutor for students who need a little extra support (and confidence).
Bruce’s dedication goes beyond just knowing the material—he knows the students. He understands their fears, frustrations, and dreams. He listens closely, explains carefully, and cheers their successes every step of the way. Over his 16+ years of service, he’s built lasting connections and helped countless learners believe in their own abilities.
It’s not unusual to see Bruce in the evening, seated beside a student with pencil in hand, calmly working through a math problem—Whether a student is just beginning to grasp fractions or wrestling with the complexities of algebra, Bruce has a calm, clear, and patient approach that helps make even the toughest problems feel manageable.
Bruce doesn’t seek the spotlight, but his impact is impossible to miss. For so many at Seeds, especially in the evening class, he’s been a rock, a guide, and a reason to keep coming back. We are incredibly grateful for the time, care, and expertise he has shared with our community for over sixteen years.
~ Brandon, West Coordinator
BILL COOK*
Running the virtual classroom requires patience, organization, and, most importantly, outstanding tutors who can meet students where they are. One such tutor is BILL COOK. From the moment he joined our program, Bill has been a pillar of consistency and dedication, making a lasting impact on every student he teaches.
Bill Cook is the kind of tutor every coordinator dreams of. Whether a student needs help with high-level math, literacy skills, or even just a boost in confidence, Bill is there, guiding them with patience and expertise.
One of the things that sets him apart is his adaptability. Adult learners come from diverse backgrounds, each with unique challenges, but Bill never backs down. He listens, assesses their needs, and adjusts his approach seamlessly. His students know they are in a judgment-free space, where learning happens at their own pace.
Beyond his knowledge and skills, Bill fosters genuine connections. He understands that learning as an adult can be intimidating, and he works hard to create an environment where students feel encouraged and supported.
I’ve seen students who once doubted themselves begin to thrive under his guidance. Because of him, they don’t just learn—they grow.
Todd, Virtual Coordinator
*EDITOR’S NOTE: Bruce and Bill were both recognized for Volunteer Appreciation Week in 2021 by two previous site coordinators. Clearly they are doing something right!
ED RICHARDS
One great aspect of Seeds of Literacy’s classrooms is the diverse personalities you find there. Some people are bursting with energy, while others greet you with a wicked sense of humor. In the midst of such diverse dispositions, ED RICHARDS stands out in an unconventional way. When you speak to Ed, what’s striking about him is his conspicuous kindness. When you talk to Ed, it’s immediately clear that he is actually listening to you; it feels like he cares, even if you’ve just met.
This understated nature makes Ed an incredibly easy person to talk to, and it means that students find him friendly, approachable, and helpful. Part of this is his easygoing demeanor, which doubtlessly helps, but another piece is that Ed is a smart guy who feels comfortable working on a wide swath of subjects Before he volunteered as a tutor, Ed was a physics and chemistry teacher at Midview in Grafton. After a career teaching subjects that still give most people nightmares, Ed rarely seems fazed when asked to work on just about anything.
In fact, it’s his love of learning which led Ed to look for volunteer opportunities after he retired. Now, Ed is a fixture in the Seeds of Literacy classroom twice a week. When I asked him what motivates him, he put it very simply: “I get a joy out of seeing others excel, that’s my reward out of it.”
In this way, Ed perfectly embodies the spirit of volunteerism: finding joy and fulfilment in uplifting others. This is what giving back truly means.
~ Chris, Assistant Program Director