Last year, English at Work served 126 students at 10 businesses, and we are well on our way to surpassing those numbers this year! Our success comes from the fact that we have such great teachers and volunteers working with us. We want everyone to know how much we appreciate all their hard work, and would like to share their stories. We’re kicking things off by profiling our longest running volunteer, Don Roach.
Don has been volunteering with English at Work for 2 ½ years! He didn’t have a background in teaching or tutoring, but it’s something he’d thought about trying. Don’s tenure with E@W began when he saw an ad in the Chronicle in 2006. He now tutors two employees at the Hotel San Jose on South Congress. Don’s two students, Nico and Rosa, work in housekeeping. Rosa recently advanced to Assistant Manager of Housekeeping, and she credits Don with giving her the English skills necessary to get this promotion.
Don says his class is pretty laid back. Most of the time they practice conversation or talk about difficulties the students ran up against at work or in the community. One exciting moment for Don was when Nico called him to talk about class and they were able to talk in English over the phone, rather than communicate through other hotel employees. Now they talk on the phone every week! When he’s not teaching at the San Jose, Don works as a web designer and likes to compete in triathlons.
Thank you Don for your dedication, and congratulations to Nico and Rosa for all your hard work! And a big thanks to the Hotel San Jose for sponsoring English classes for their employees!