October 2019 Newsletter
How Upward Scholars tutors helped salvage an education
Like many Upward Scholars students, Obed came to the United States with limited formal education — six years to be exact. But Obed was determined not to let lack of formal schooling stand in his way. Soon after enrolling at Cañada College, Obed requested an Upward Scholars tutor. Andrea Bocobo, who was also a recent immigrant, began tutoring Obed when he was enrolled in intermediate ESL classes and continued to work with him until he completed English 100, the equivalent of college freshman English. They met weekly for two years.

 “Andrea helped me put my ideas in order. My vocabulary was low. I had the concepts, but I didn’t know how to put them into the right words,” Obed says. “Because of Andrea, I finished very difficult ESL classes.”

But Obed had no intention of limiting his education to ESL. His next step was to take vocational classes to prepare him to move up in his job doing metal framing, drywall, and general carpentry for a large general contractor.

When Obed arrived in the United States, he started out as a laborer. Once his English improved, he was promoted to an apprentice and, two years later, to a journeyman.
Obed on the job
Obed currently works on this 42-story skyscraper in San Francisco.
A keen observer of his workplace, Obed discerned that workers were far less likely to be laid off during lean times if they were able to work independent ly. To give him more independence on the job and enhance his skill set , Obed enrolled in a class at College of San Mateo called Blueprint Reading for Construction. But his hopes were dashed when he discovered that he lacked the content knowledge to complete his assignments .

Enter Terry Mahoney, a recently retired construction superintendent and Upward Scholars tutor who had firsthand experience with the content of Obed’s class. While most Upward Scholars tutors help students only with their ESL classes, a growing number also help students with classes in areas like math, statistics, and psychology. Obed is convinced that he wouldn’t have passed his class without Terry’s support.

“If you have the knowledge, you are like two or three people in one,” Obed says. “I can do the physical work, and I can read the blueprints, and I can speak Spanish and English. Upward Scholars and my tutors helped so much with all that.”
Obed with his tutor, Terry Mahoney
It’s a family affair...
Fall 2019 student/tutor picnic
Our annual fall picnic provides us with the opportunity to thank our nearly 70 volunteer tutors and subs who work with our students every week each semester. Your time and dedication make all the difference!

If you are not already a tutor but would like to be, please apply here now. Students continue requesting tutors. If you are already one of our dedicated tutors, please RSVP here to attend our upcoming Saturday, October 26 Tutor Training.
Thirty Upward Scholars students awarded laptops!
Thank you, donors, for making another Laptop Scholarship Distribution Event possible. On Friday September 13, we awarded 30 laptops, including one to Obed! Since beginning this program in fall 2015, we have awarded over 200 laptops to our remarkable students.
Please continue to support our remarkable students!
(650) 383-8449