For the past 12 years, Gretchen has been a dependable and versatile Brightlane tutor. She currently spends each Tuesday night tutoring students at Wheeler Mission Center for Women & Children. No matter the age or academic level of the student she is working with, Gretchen always brings the same positive and encouraging energy to each session!
Gretchen is known for her effortless ability to motivate and uplift the students she works alongside, which helps build stronger relationships in the Wheeler classroom. Her Education Support Coordinator, Keith Bevacqua, often overhears Gretchen engaging in open conversations with students. Through simple dialogue, Gretchen allows students to communicate their expectations, joys, and challenges about homework or their school day. She consistently reminds students that they can do hard things so that they feel empowered to persist in the face of challenges and setbacks.
Gretchen goes above and beyond for the students she works alongside. Keith shared, “Last school year, Gretchen worked repeatedly with a student named William, who is on the autism spectrum and not fully verbal. They communicated largely through play and mimicry language patterns. I would often have William play shape, color, and number games with Gretchen and William’s mother. I don’t always have mothers in the classroom, but it was necessary in this case and made tutoring accessible to William. This wouldn’t be possible without Gretchen’s flexibility, positive attitude, and comfortability working with William’s mom.”
Beyond consistently showing up for her students at tutoring each week, Gretchen often engages with the Brightlane community by participating in tutor workshops, volunteer appreciation events, and fundraising campaigns. Most recently, Gretchen raised over $1,200 to support students at Wheeler during Do the Bright Thing, our annual fundraising and awareness campaign!
Volunteer tutors like Gretchen make Brightlane’s mission and impact possible. We are honored to celebrate her as our Volunteer Tutor of the Year and thrilled that we got to recognize her outstanding volunteer service on the court during a recent Indiana Pacers game!