Why Volunteer?

Citizens like you become Citizen Teachers for a variety of reasons. Yet, their underlying motivation is the same. Citizen Teachers can make a lasting impact on the educational trajectories of low-income students. Read more about different reasons volunteers become involved, or find out about how the program works.

	"To give back"is why Citizen Teacher Christine Loughlin knew right away that she wanted to get involved. "Just civic responsibility, I guess," she recalls. "After ten to fifteen years of being career obsessed, I looked for opportunities to play a more active role in the community. Given there was only one thing I knew anything about - money and investing - I thought about teaching it."
	"To teach with friends" is what inspired three Citizen Teachers from Jump Associates, an innovation consultancy based in San Mateo, California. Together, they mobilized students to improve upon a system that affects them daily: their cafeteria lunch. Roxann Stafford, Kathryn Wakid, James Moed and their team of middle-school students presented their prototypes to the head of nutrition for the Redwood City School District. "Their ideas aren't just new things to eat, but new ways to distribute food, new ways to package it, and new ways to pay for it," says Roxann.
	"To share my passion with others" is why Antonia Perlacia began teaching a Flamenco Dancing apprenticeship with Citizen Schools. "I love Flamenco and I would do anything to teach this dance art to anyone who was willing," said Antonia. "We had a more than willing group of talented students."
	"To connect with kids" is why Citizen Teacher Brenda Ross volunteered. "Only through trust can you inspire someone to make changes," said Ross. "I build trust by sharing my own life experiences, solutions and decisions - good and bad. I am not afraid to tell young ones that I have made mistakes in life. They can share with me problems and concerns, and know that I will be there to help wherever I can."