Volunteer Work

Each One Teach One San Antonio

February 2018-Present

Math Tutor

I've been a dedicated volunteer at Each One Teach One San Antonio (EOTOSA) since February 2018. The journey with EOTOSA began at the end of the 2017 MLK march in San Antonio, where I had the pleasure of meeting some of their representatives at an information booth. Their mission resonated with me, prompting me to sign up as a tutor on the spot. The organization's commitment to community empowerment through individual growth and increased social mobility perfectly aligns with my core beliefs and passion.

Every Saturday I dedicate my time to tutoring Math at EOTOSA, and honestly it is my favorite part of my week. Although I have a designated student I work closely with, I make it a point to be available to support others as well. Recognizing the challenges individuals face on their journeys, my goal is to create a safe and comfortable learning environment by establishing positive connections with all the students and volunteers—just by being my authentic self.

In my time at Each One Teach One, the learning has been a two-way street. Each student I've had the privilege of working with has broadened my perspectives, teaching me the art of patience and a deeper understanding of the diverse challenges individuals encounter. This experience has been a journey of self-discovery, pushing me to find different ways to explain concepts and ensure my students grasp the content.

Volunteering with EOTOSA has not only allowed me to contribute to the community but has also been a source of personal and professional growth. The satisfaction of witnessing the progress of my students, the development of my teaching skills, and the genuine connections forged within the EOTOSA community have made this volunteering experience truly invaluable. It's not just about teaching; it's about being part of a transformative journey for both myself and those I have the privilege to assist.

"Each One Teach One San Antonio (EOTO) was born out of an interaction between the founders and an older gentleman who was having trouble reading and understanding his tax forms. Within several weeks, the founders began helping an increasing amount of local citizens with understanding their taxes in addition to other documents. It quickly became apparent that there was a literacy need beyond simple tax preparation, so the founders began to address this need by providing literacy tutoring to the community at large. In the years since, EOTO was formed into a 501(c)(3) non-profit literacy organization and opened up numerous sites throughout San Antonio having served thousands of citizens since our inception in 2004

Confluence of Young Conservation Leaders - CYCL: Volunteer Camp Counselor

April 2024-October 2024

The Confluence of Young Conservation Leaders (CYCL) is a collaboration between natural resource agencies and youth conservation organizations across multiple states, aiming to share ideas and support the growth of youth conservation organizations nationwide. The recent camp, held at Morgan’s Wonderland in San Antonio, TX, from Thursday, October 24–27, 2024, was designed for college students 18+ interested in careers in the sciences. As a volunteer camp counselor and presenter, I had the privilege of facilitating a variety of activities, including:

Visits to the Edwards Aquifer Authority Education Outreach Center and local parks
Guest speaker sessions, resume-building workshops, and interview skills training
Leadership development and self-advocacy workshops
Tours focused on agricultural production on urban lands and land stewardship in urban areas
Arts and crafts, presentations, and team-building activities

In addition to my role as a camp counselor, I led an Interview Readiness Workshop, helping students refine their professional skills. This camp, which was part of the Texas Brigades' nationwide CYCL initiative, provided students with hands-on experiences to enhance their professional skills and foster a passion for conservation.

I worked alongside many esteemed organizations, including the Witte Museum, Resource and Land Management, Inc., the San Antonio River Authority, the San Antonio Botanical Center, and others, to ensure the success of the event. My involvement also included serving as a member of the planning committee, contributing months of effort to make the event possible. This enriching experience allowed me to contribute to creating a supportive environment where students could grow and develop their passion for conservation.

We took our young leaders to various locations around the San Antonio area to expose them to the natural beauty of the region. Highlights included the Robert Tobin Land Bridge at Phil Hardberger Park and Confluence Park, where students experienced a beautiful urban educational and sustainability park.

Jackson Byrd from Springfield, MO created a visual journal every day. He shared that everything in this piece was something he’d never seen before but had on his list to experience that day.

March for Science San Antonio

Volunteer Coordinator

February 2017-April 2017

The March for Science was a global movement that began in April 2017, aiming to highlight the importance of scientific research and evidence-based policy-making. The march sought to defend the role of science in society and promote public understanding of science and its contributions to addressing major challenges like climate change, public health, and technological advancement. It also aimed to advocate for the protection of scientific funding and the autonomy of scientific research from political and ideological interference. The event was both a celebration of science and a call to action to ensure that scientific knowledge remains a guiding principle in policy and decision-making.

In my role as Coordinator, I led a dedicated committee responsible for planning and executing the San Antonio event. I managed logistics, organized activities, and facilitated collaboration among team members to ensure the success of the march. Our collective efforts helped promote the importance of science and its role in shaping informed policy decisions.

The March for Science Mission Statement:

The March for Science champions robustly funded and publicly communicated science as a pillar of human freedom and prosperity. We unite as a diverse, nonpartisan group to call for science that upholds the common good, and for political leaders and policymakers to enact evidence-based policies in the public interest.

Cibolo Center for Conservation

January 2013-January 2015

Outdoor Classroom Guide

At the Cibolo Center for Conservation, I shifted from being a student to an educator. I not only taught kids about the fascinating inhabitants at the center but also created and led activities tailored for K-12 students. From learning about invertebrates in The Cibolo Creek to discovering the many species of birds in the sky, I orchestrated nature walks, designed scavenger hunts, and shared the art of camouflage in our predator-prey hide-and-seek game.

This experience played a pivotal moment in my life where I realized the power of hands-on learning beyond the traditional classroom. It helped me see first-hand the importance of teaching the way people learn. I learned that these early learning experiences in nature can help spark the curiosity and passion in people that can shape future scientists from a young age.

"The Cibolo Center for Conservation transforms lives through the love of nature, welcoming guests into a beautiful natural Hill Country setting for nature education, enriching community experiences, and environmental research in action. Participation in water conservation, land stewardship, care for wildlife, sustainability, planting, and the celebration of harvest remind guests of their shared humanity, resulting in a community of belonging."

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