Scroll across and down for additional perspectives.

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From ’terrible’ to ‘great’
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From ’terrible’ to ‘great’
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Zanay Lignon’s view of school changed dramatically due to Root 2 Rise. She’s also much more confident, and now plans to teach or go to law school. See May 2025 newsletter.

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Learning by helping others
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Learning by helping others
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Root 2 Rise was “an oasis ,a chance to interact with people who look like me — and for me to serve a purpose for my community,” said Armari Tucker, who attends Howard University, where he majors in economics with a minor in computer science. His goal: become a venture capitalist and serve the community. See the June 2024 newsletter.

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Root 2 Rise deepened Shaneece Taylor’s commitment to help
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Root 2 Rise deepened Shaneece Taylor’s commitment to help
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“In Root 2 Rise, I felt my life had a purpose when I saw how the faces of the kids I helped would light up. High school was a very difficult time for me, and I remember how others helped me. Helping others is a personal  and philosophical goal for me.” See October 2024 newsletter.

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For Devail Washington, Root 2 Rise was the main reason to attend school.
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For Devail Washington, Root 2 Rise was the main reason to attend school.
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He persevered through a “rough” childhood, and his ambition and eagerness to help others is strong. See July 2024 newsletter.

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Root 2 Rise “changed my life.”
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Root 2 Rise “changed my life.”
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Once uninterested in classes and unlikely to graduate, Dietrich Swain is more confident and eventually wants to teach, even if it’s after he retires from another job in 20 years. See September 2024 newsletter.

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Tutor-Mentors

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Becoming A Leader
Partner Teacher Shyla Woock and Tutor Mentor Jose Santacruz.
Becoming A Leader
Partner Teacher Shyla Woock and Tutor Mentor Jose Santacruz.

Before Root 2 Rise, Jose Santacruz admits to “not necessarily liking “ school. Now he is considering becoming a teacher. Partner-Teacher Shyla Woock praisesdhis “great rapport with students “ and his ability to make her job easier. See February 2025 newsletter.

Partner Teacher Shyla Woock and Tutor Mentor Jose Santacruz.
Enthusiastic, motivated — and helpful
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Enthusiastic, motivated — and helpful
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Partner teacher, Jahnobi Bora said the three Tutor-Mentors who have helped in her classroom “surpassed my expectations” in every regard, including their enthusiasm for learning. “I love the experience and I love coming here. It motivates me to do better every single day,” said Tutor-Mentor Antonio Jackson For more information. See January 2025 newsletter.

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Before Root 2 Rise, Damari Thomas never took school seriously.
Damari Thomas and Partner Teacher Angie Hall.
Before Root 2 Rise, Damari Thomas never took school seriously.
Damari Thomas and Partner Teacher Angie Hall.

Partner teacher Angie Hall remembers Thomas’ passion for helping kids. He credits the experience with his decision to pursue a career in special education. See November 2023 newsletter.

Damari Thomas and Partner Teacher Angie Hall.
No longer ‘disconnected’ from school.
Tutor mentor Martina Gabrielli (left) and Partner Teacher Jaclyn Thomson.
No longer ‘disconnected’ from school.
Tutor mentor Martina Gabrielli (left) and Partner Teacher Jaclyn Thomson.

“Root 2  Rise brought out a side of me I didn’t think I had,” said Martina Gabriellil "It was a sense of relief to have someone so dedicated, especially to deal with the challenges following Covid," said Partner Teacher Jaclyn Thompson said. See November 2023 newsletter.

Tutor mentor Martina Gabrielli (left) and Partner Teacher Jaclyn Thomson.
Becoming a role model.
Tutor Mentor Lendsay Landavede and Partner Teacher Zach Richards.
Becoming a role model.
Tutor Mentor Lendsay Landavede and Partner Teacher Zach Richards.

After just a few months helping in the classroom of Zach Richards, Tutor Mentor Lendsay Landavede said she has already learned much about teaching, students – and herself. Richards said she is a good role model for younger students. For more information, see the January 2025 newsetter.

Tutor Mentor Lendsay Landavede and Partner Teacher Zach Richards.

Tutor-Mentors and Partner-Teachers

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‘I saw real benefits in real time’
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‘I saw real benefits in real time’
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“Root 2 Rise really, really helped these students,” said Beth Thompson, a veteran administrator with the Madison Metropolitan School District. See October 2024 newsletter.

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Everyone benefits
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Everyone benefits
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After working with dozens of Tutor-Mentors and Partner teachers over three years, two coordinators of the program review its benefits. See April 2025 newsletter. Photo: Dacia Giordana (left) and Rebecca Griffin.

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‘A great opportunity for everyone’
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‘A great opportunity for everyone’
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Root 2 Rise has been “an amazing experience. I’m beyond grateful for it,” said Principal Rich Peters, whose school has had Tutor-Mentors in K-4 classrooms for three years. “Teachers are now begging to participate.” See September 2024 newsletter.

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‘An integral part of who we are.’
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‘An integral part of who we are.’
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“Teachers are in love with Root 2 Rise. Everyone wants a Tutor-Mentor in their classroom,” said Principal Cynthia Bell Jimenez, whose school has partnered with Root 2 Rise for three years. See September 2024 newsletter.

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‘It’s the type of program public education should offer.’
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‘It’s the type of program public education should offer.’
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“I can’t think of anything remotely negative abut Root 2 Rise,” said Principal Stacy Talus. “Teachers love Tutor-Mentors and rave about them. See February 2025 newsletter.

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Principals and Staff

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An ‘Amazing’ Experience
Amy and Andrew Cassiday.
An ‘Amazing’ Experience
Amy and Andrew Cassiday.

In Root 2 Rise, Andrew Cassidy had the opportunity to provide help instead of being viewed as someone who required assistance. “The experience was amazing,” said his mother, Amy. Andrew is now considering a career in education, which Amy said was “a possibility neither of us expected.” See June 2024 newsletter.

Amy and Andrew Cassiday.
Achieving Even More
Daniel and Valerie Wilson.
Achieving Even More
Daniel and Valerie Wilson.

Daniel Wilson was an accomplished athlete and did “super good” in high school. He said Root 2 Rise made him a leader. His mother said it taught Daniel to be more patient and “more relatable’” to adults. But most of all, Daniel loved the kids he helped. “I remember every one of them,” he said. See the August 2024 newsletter.

Daniel and Valerie Wilson.
Influential Role Models
Ashley Moncrief and her daughters Savannah and Danielle.
Influential Role Models
Ashley Moncrief and her daughters Savannah and Danielle.

Tutor-Mentors made a difference in the lives of students in this family. See April 2024 issue.

Ashley Moncrief and her daughters Savannah and Danielle.
Root 2 Rise was a ‘gift’ to the Ayala family
Maria Jimena and Jorge Ayala.
Root 2 Rise was a ‘gift’ to the Ayala family
Maria Jimena and Jorge Ayala.

Root 2 Rise motivated Jimena Ayala to finish high school and to attend college. Root 2 Rise “made the difference. It was a gift,” said her mother, Maria. See September 2024 issue.

Maria Jimena and Jorge Ayala.

Parents