Meet Alan & Mauricio

Published by Educational Justice on July 12, 2019

Initially, it seemed that Mauricio and Alan could not be more different. Alan likes soccer. Mauricio is a huge basketball fan.

Academics have been at the center of Alan’s life for as long as he can remember. Mauricio just recently realized his interest in science. Alan, a senior in high school, has tutored Mauricio through Educational Justice Activists for the past year and a half. Since Mauricio started tutoring, the 7th grader said school has gotten much easier.

“My grades were bad in the beginning, and they’ve gotten better now. It makes me feel good and it makes my parents happy,” he said with a laugh. Mauricio said he likes having Alan as a tutor because he’s smart, kind, and he keeps Mauricio on track.

During tutoring sessions, Alan keeps Mauricio excited about learning. “I like to pique his interest, especially with things he likes outside of the classroom too, so, sports in particular.” Reading Sports Illustrated together has become a staple in their tutoring sessions.

According to Alan, Mauricio is not the only one to benefit from participating in the EJ Activists program. With a lifelong passion for education, as well as making a change in his community, Alan said once he learned about Educational Justice he realized that he could make a difference doing something he knew was important.

“Very seldom do you find that programs actually foster the change that you want to see, and I think this is one of those programs,” Alan stated.

Previously, Alan planned to pursue a career in the medical field, but after being an EJ Activist he says that he’s quite interested in becoming an educator.

“This is one of the activities that a high school student can undertake to really form their path,” Alan said.

As this is Alan and Mauricio’s last year together in the EJ Activists program, they agree they are sad for it to end, but excited for what the future holds.

“I hope that Mauricio and I keep in touch,” Alan expressed. “Who knows a few years down the line where we’ll both be. But I think it’s going to be really exciting to see how successful he’s going to end up in high school and beyond.