A superhero. This is how one student described his tutor and mentor in a thank you card.
And this student is right. The tutors and mentors that volunteer each week to support the students at Cristo Rey Jesuit are indeed superheroes.
Everyday after school, Cristo Rey Jesuit holds tutorials from 4:15- 5:30 pm. Many students are required to stay so that they have time to work on homework, study, and ask questions of teachers who moderate the tutorial rooms. This is also a time when tutors from the Houston community come to volunteer their time and talents to help prepare these students for college and the future.
Throughout the year we have had a total of 13 volunteers who have mentored, or continued to mentor, a total of 27 students. These “superheroes” come from various positions and stations in life: lawyers, accountants, former and current educators, high school students from Lamar, Kinkaid, and Strake Jesuit. Each mentor is partnered with a student or small group of students. They meet at least once a week in order for students to go over homework, ask questions, seek advice, and more importantly, build a relationship of care and trust. These tutors provide the extra care and individual attention that some students need to make that jump to the next level and see “the light.”
As one of our superheroes explains, “Teachers understand what I'm talking about when I tell them that I ‘saw the light in a student's eyes.’ I can't even tell you what to look for –but when you see it, you know they've got it. You know that they've got the spark of a new idea that they just might build into their own internal fire. Sometimes, it's a big-bang kind of light that opens a whole new field of knowledge to them. Many times, it’s a series of little sparks that build a bigger fire over time. It's a joy to see each and every one of those.”
The school knew the program was a success for our students when two students who had been working with a retired algebra teacher both raised their grades from failing to passing, thus allowing them to leave at 4:00 pm and not stay for tutorials. What was even more amazing was that although they no longer HAD to stay, they both CHOSE to stay each week to work with this superhero. They continue to do so today and now, not just once, but twice a week.
One of our most dedicated tutors explains, “Working directly with a small group of students since the beginning of the year has let me live the Cristo Rey Jesuit mission. I have seen my young students develop, enjoyed their successes and shared their disappointments. I plan to stick with my kids until they graduate – if they let me! I hope that my work with them benefits them as much it has benefited me.”
Not even a superhero with super strength or the ability to fly could have said it better or could be doing more.
Simply put, our superheroes save the world a little each day at Cristo Rey Jesuit.
Cristo Rey Jesuit is always looking for more tutors who are willing to work with students after school or over the summer (please see details below). If you feel that you could dedicate your time and talents to help the students achieve the “Magis” here at Cristo Rey Jesuit, please contact Dean of Students, David Garcia-Prats at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or call 281-501-1298.
Summer Tutoring hours: 9:00 am –1:00 pm Monday-Friday thru July 30th
Please consider volunteering at least one day per week!
