Becoming A Leader

From left: Partner Teacher Shyla Woock, Jose Santacruz, and Jose’s mother, Maria.

When Jose Santacruz helps third grade students at Marshall Elementary School, his mother, Maria, is just down the hall helping students improve their command of English. Both clearly enjoy what they’re doing – and both say Root 2 Rise made a difference.

“It’s a great program. Jose has became a leader and I see how much students really like him. He’s also much more patient with his brothers and sisters,” Maria said.

After one semester helping younger students, Jose changed his view of school from “not necessarily liking it” to changing his schedule in order to make sure he could participate in another semester of Root 2 Rise. He is also doing better in school. Although he’s uncertain about his future plans, Jose said Root 2 Rise “made me think I could be a teacher, something I wouldn’t have thought about before.” He’s also doing better in school.

His mother was a custodian with the Marshall School District for seven years, before becoming an E.S.L. assistant. She praises the supportive environment of the Marshall School District, part of a community that she said has welcomed her and her family after she emigrated from Mexico 23 years ago.

Partner-Teacher Shyla Woock welcomes Jose’s help. “He has great rapport with students and has made my job easier,” she said.