Joseph currently leads MSC’s evening GED prep program. He runs the computer lab and assists students with any questions they may have. Joseph sees motivation as an important part of his job. Sometimes, he will suggest projects or ask questions to keep the students active in their learning and motivated to continue moving forward to achieve their goals. “I want to make their time here as tangible as possible, and I want them to leave with a new skill,” he says.
Working with students helps Joseph to be the best he can be. Patience is an attribute that Joseph has in abundance, and he says that really helps him to assist students, both as a volunteer with MSC’s GED program and also with the students he works with at the high school. “Sometimes it’s difficult, and I have to put my ego or pride on the line to help someone, but it’s better to know I did my best then worry about getting hurt feelings,” says Joseph.
Joseph has been volunteering with MSC for the last year. He remembers one of his first students, an older woman who was struggling with math. He worked with her a lot, sometimes outside of class time. He is still in contact with her and smiles as he shares that she’s now enrolled in community college.
When asked what he would tell other potential volunteers, he said, “An hour or two a week can make all the difference to someone, you can have a lifetime impact.” MSC thanks Joseph, and our other volunteers, for the impact they have made on so many lives over the last year.
