For more than 8 years, I worked as a tutor and after-school teacher for middle and high school students, mostly on weekends. Sometimes during spring or Summer break.

In Mexico, getting into high school means taking an entrance exam. Students rank several high schools/upper secondary schools in order of preference, and their score determines where they land. A strong result can get them into their first choice. A weak one can mean losing the chance to attend high school at all, leaving them to find other ways to keep learning.

That’s why the months of preparation were so crucial. The exam covers general knowledge, so students had to study everything: Spanish, Math, Science (Geography, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Anatomy), Social Studies, and History.

Those months were intense. Every Saturday and Sunday, from 8 am to 3 pm, for 3 months, at my parents’ house.

All my students came from low-income families who couldn’t afford expensive prep courses, so I created this course for them. It was mentally exhausting, but emotionally? Fulfillment to the fullest. Somehow I was able to wake up early every morning; every weekend I was offering this Prep course.

Why am I sharing this?

When I was invited to join the Board of Pathwise – formerly DreamCatchers, I said yes immediately!

Memories of the hundreds of students who attended my high school prep courses, and the ones I tutored in Math and Physics, all came rushing back. I have to confess, this is something I’ve dearly missed since leaving Mexico City. All my bright, beautiful students who needed someone to believe in them, to believe that they were smart, that they could succeed, especially those who had been written off by teachers or administrators.

Pathwise does the kind of work I did back then.

Today we held our Fall Mingle event. Seeing our students happy, engaged, having fun, and sharing dinner together was priceless.

I feel so lucky to be part of a program that gives so much to the kids of Palo Alto Unified School District.