Michelle Villegas

10th Grade, Odessa High School, Odessa, Texas

Since I became a tutor

Since I became a tutor
My days became better
My kids give me a hug every time I walk in the classroom
My kids give me a hug every time I leave the classroom

Since I became a tutor
I got three new little friends*
María
Jordan
Alex

Since I became a tutor
I know what it is to have recess taken away
“Don’t let her take all the letters away guys.”
“Be quiet I wanna have recess today.”

Since I became a tutor
I have got to test out different learning types
Jorden needs to write out what he’s thinking on the side of the text to understand
María needs someone to listen to her read and stay on the right line
Alex needs someone to read to him and stay focused

Since I became a tutor
I have learned to read fourth graders handwriting
María’s handwriting is the best (but don’t tell the other two that)

Since I became a tutor
I have had silly, but important conversations with my little friends
María loves cheerleading and does it in a club
Jorden loves five nights at Freddy’s and counted down with me the days until the new movie of it came out
Alex loves anything Marvel, his mouse for his computer is Iron Man

Since I became a tutor
I realized that even if I’m having a bad day, I can’t bring that into my kids’ class
Smile, breathe, focus
Make sure none of the kids have anything missing
Help them with what they’re doing
Ask them about their day and engage in conversation with them
Never let your smile drop

Since I became a tutor
I have had three new names to add to my prayers
I pray for María’s cheerleading competition tomorrow
I pray for Alex’s home
I pray for Jordan to turn in all his assignments

Since I became a tutor
My world opened up through a fourth grader’s eyes
Instead of stressing about my Algebra test
I stress about how much time we’ll have for recess

Since I became a tutor
My three little friends have taught me something
Stop stressing like an adult
And just get through the day like a person
Because at the end of the day, that’s all I am

Since I became a tutor
I know what it is to feel proud
María got a 100 on her Sirius assignment
Alex has no missing assignments
Jorden started answering questions in class

Since I became a tutor
My days became better
My kids give me a hug every time I walk in the classroom
My kids give me a hug every time I leave the classroom

Since I became a tutor
My world got brighter

* Tutee names changed for privacy

See the booklet with all the winning reflections from 2024 (pdf).

See highlights poster (PDF • Image)

The IDRA Valued Youth Partnership is a research-based cross-age tutoring program. According to the Valued Youth creed, all students are valuable, none is expendable. The lives of more than 737,000 students, families and educators have been positively impacted by the program.

Valued Youth Partnership

Michelle Villegas – 2024 Third Place High School Reflection Winner

Michelle Villegas

Since I became a tutor

News

Classnotes Podcast

Explore IDRA